By Kumar Punithavel
The New Year among the Hindus and Buddhists vary from region to region of the world. The Tamils and Singhalese New Year is celebrated on the 14th of April 2007.
1. Astronomical significance of the New Year
The Earth travels on an elliptical path around the Sun. The time period for one complete movement of 360 degrees is called a year. The circumference of this elliptical path with the sun at the central point is divided into twelve arcs. The angular segments traced by each arc measuring 30 degrees are called a house or Veedu in Tamil. Thus the earth passes through twelve houses in a year.
In reality, it is the Earth that enters each house at any given time. But for us earthlings, it appears as if it is the sun that is in motion-Relative Motion- and have got used to the common concept of very olden times that it is the giant star that sustains us that travels through the twelve houses.
The twelve astronomically ordained houses are:-
(1) Meda Veedu
(2) Idaba Veedu
(3) Mithuna Veedu
(4) Kataka Veedu
(5) Singa Veedu
(6) Kanni Veedu
(7) Thula Veedu
(8) Virutchika Veedu
(9) Thanu Veedu
(10) Makara Veedu
(11) Kumba Veedu
(12) Meera Veedu.
The earth moving into Meda Veedu has been considered as the commencement of this journey around the Sun. The period of travel through each veedu is known as a Thingal, Matham (month) and it takes twelve thingals (months) to complete a one-year cycle. This is known as Andu or Varusam (Year).
The entry into the Meda Veedu is therefore the birth of a new year (Puthiya Aandu Pirappu or Varusha Pirappu in Tamil and Aluth Anduwa in Singhalese) and this point is called the Chithirai thingal or Chitirai matham.(Month of April/May).
The one who calculates the astronomical settings and movements of the Earth, Sun, and other planets in respect of the 12 Veedus are known as the Kalak Kanithar, literally translated as Time determiners.
2. The Tamil Seasonal Significance of the Tamil New Year
The Tamils have divided an Aandu (Year) in to six seasons based on the climatic conditions in Tamil Nadu. They are:-
Ilavenil Kaalam: mild sunny period; Chithirai, and Vaihasil, mid April to Mid June.
Muthuvenil Kaalam: intense sunny period; Aani and Aadi, mid June to Mid August.
Kaar Kaalam; Cloudy rainy period; Aavan and Panguni; mid August to mid October.
Kulir Kaalam; cold period; Iyppassi and Kaarthigai; mid October to mid December.
Munpani Kaalam; early misty period; Markali Thai; mid December to mid February.
Pinpani Kaalam; late misty period; Maasi and Panguni; mid March to mid April.
The beginning of the Ilavenil Kaalam of the Tamils coincides with the Sun moving into the Meda Veedu, which falls in mid April, the commencement of the Tamil Month of Chithirai. It is the beginning of spring time. The dawn of the month of Chithirai is the dawn of the Ilavenil Kaalam, a period mild Sun with much light and less humid wind known to be very soothing and refreshing. The breeze at this time of the year is known as the Thendral Kaatru to the Tamils.
The great Tamil Saiva Saint of Tamil Nadu, Thirunaavukarasu Nayannar of the mid seventh century, equated the pleasure of being at the feet of the God Siva to Illavenil Kaalam, showing the great delight the Tamils had during the Illavenil Kaalam. Because of pleasantness of this spring season the Tamils took this day as the beginning of the year.
3. The Tamil Hindu Cyclic System of years.
The Tamils considered an average life cycle of a human-being as Sixty years, and reckoned a “Cyclic System of sixty Years”. Based on cyclic system provided different names for each year falling within this cycle. The name of the year repeats itself every 60 years. The sixty years of this cycle are named as follows;
(1) Pirapava Aandu
(2) Vipava Aandu
(3) Sukla Aandu
(4) Piramothuutha Aandu
(5) Pirasotpaththi Aandu
(6) Aangeerasa Aandu
(7) Srimuha Aandu
(8) Pava Aandu
(9) Yuva Aandu
(10) Thaathu Aandu
(11) Eeswara Aandu
(12) Vehuthaaniya Aandu
(13) Piramaathi Aandu
(14) Vikrama Aandu
(15) Visha Aandu
(16) Chitirabaanu Aandu
(17) Subaanu Aandu
(18) Thaarana Aandu
(19) Paarththipa Aandu
(20) Viya Aandu
(21) Sarvasithu Aandu
(22) Sarvathaari Aandu
(23) Virothi Aandu
(24) Vikruthi Aandu
(25) Kara Aandu
(26) Nanthana Aandu
(27) Vijaya Aandu
(28) Jaya Aandu
(29) Manmatha Aandu
(30) Thunmuki Aandu
(31) Hovilambi Aandu
(32) Vilambi Aandu
(33) Vikaari Aandu
(34) Saarvari Aandu
(35) Pilava Aandu
(36) Subakiruthu Aandu
(37) Sobakiruthu Aandu
(38) Kurothi Aandu
(39) Visuvaasuva Aandu
(40) Paraapava Aandu
(41) Pilavanga Aandu
(42) Keelaka Aandu
(43) Soumiya Aandu
(44) Saathaarana Aandu
(45) Virothikiruthu Aandu
(46) Parithaapi Aandu
(47) Piramaatheesa Aand
(48) Aanantha Aandu
(49) Raatchasa Aandu
(50) Nala Aandu
(51) Pingala Aandu
(52) Kaalayukthi Aandu
(53) Siththaarththi Aand
(54) Rouththri Aandu
(55) Thunmathi Aandu
(56) Thunththupi Aandu
(57) Ruthrothkaari Aandu
(58) Rakthaatchi Aandu
(59) Kurothana Aandu
(60) Atsaya Aandu
According to the above cyclic system of years, the Tamil Hindu New year for 2007 will be called as Sarvasithu Aandu. A person born in say Sarvasithu Aandu after sixty years will once again have the same planetary location of all the celestial bodies with year as Sarvasithy Aandu. Thus the sixtieth birthday is of much significance and is celebrated in a grand manner and is called Mani vilza!
[Getting ready to celebrate the New Year in Bambalapitty, Sri Lanka-Pic By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai, HumanityAshore.org]
4. The celebrations of Tamil New Year
The way New Year is celebrated in the east is different from the west. There would be much austerity and rituals in the celebrations. The day before the New Year, the house and compound would be cleaned spotless to receive the New Year.
As the exact time of birth of the New Year is calculated from the planetary position, it is left to an astrologer to compute it. The whole household would have had a customary herbal oil bath at an auspicious time and dressed in new clothes awaiting the arrival of the New Year. The herbal mix is obtained from the village temple as it is prepared for the community at the temple. At the predetermined time, the traditional oil lamps are lit and worship is done in the family shrine room. After offering of prayers the children prostrate in front of their elders to get their blessings. The gain in such an act is two fold. The children learn to respect and follow the guidance of the wisdom of their elders and the traditions, there by keep away from harms way. Secondly it makes the elders feel they are wanted and respected by their kith and kin. Such feeling is better than the best tonic for the wellbeing of the elders!
This is followed by a family meal consisting of sweet rice and many delicious snacks. Most people will go to the nearest temple where there will be special pooja’s performed. In some temples there will be a procession of the deities taken around the temple.
The rest of the day would be spent on receiving and visiting relatives and friends and also having some traditional games.
Another custom is to deal with money for the first time on the New Year. One would like to receive money from the person whom he feels will bring him luck. The receiving of gifts of money on this day from the wealthy and influential persons is believed to bring luck and prosperity in the New Year.
This gift of money is also a form of charity indulged in by the wealthy, when all their employees, dependants and needy neighbors visit them and receive gifts of money. This activity is called ‘Kaivisesam’. Since temple attendance is part of the day’s observances, it is customary to abstain from meat. During this time the merchant and trades men start their business for the first time in the New Yea at an auspicious timer.
What begins as a family observation in the morning ends in the evening with community celebrations. In other words, the sprit of the community and neighborly relationships receive very special consideration on Tamil Hindu New Years Day.
[Getting ready to celebrate the new year in Ratmalana, Sri Lanka-Pic:HumanityAshore.org]
5. The celebrations of the Singhalese New Year
In view of the fact the Tamils and Singhalese communities have lived in harmony for more than two millenniums, there is much in common on the calibrations of the New Year between Tamil and Singhalese communities. The cultural rituals among Singhalese too begin with the cleaning of the house, and having the ceremonial herbal oil bath.
The bath is followed by the lighting of the traditional brass lamp and going to the temple. The Singhalese treat the custom of visiting the elders and greeting them with a sheaf of betel leafs enfolding a large processed tobacco leaf and get their blessing as an important part of the day. As mentioned earlier these two communities respect their elders to a great extent.
In some village communities the women folk congregate in the village square to play upon a large drum called raban. This is said to warn the others of the developing changes in the New Year.
Following the above rituals the partying really begins as families mingle in streets, homes are thrown open and the children are let out to play. The ubiquitous plantain is dished out along side celebratory feast of small sweet cake called kaung, and a crisp light sweet meat called kokis. Kokis is a culinary ambassador left behind by the Dutch rulers. Though it is accepted a Singhalese traditional sweet meat it was indeed a innovation of the Hollanders.
6. Other communities celebrating New Year
April 14th is also the Bengali New Year day. Naba Barsha, which begins with ‘Prabhat Pheries’ (an early morning procession) with songs and dances welcoming the New Year.
In Kerala State South India this day is celebrated by Malayalees commemorating the beginning of the astronomical New Year in Malayalam calendar.
The Theravada Buddhist countries like Thailand, Burma and Cambodia too celebrate this day as their New Year.
We take this opportunity to wish all those who are celebrating a happy and prosperous New Year.