Puthandu, also known as Tamil New Year, is celebrated by Tamils around the world, marking the first day of the Tamil month of Chithirai. This festival usually falls on April 14th and signifies the start of a new agricultural year. Families come together to celebrate with special prayers, traditional foods, and cultural activities. During Puthandu, people often prepare a special dish called Puthandu Kanji, which is a rice porridge, and decorate their homes with colorful kolams (rice flour designs). The day is also marked by visiting temples and exchanging greetings, symbolizing hope and prosperity for the year ahead.