About Vishu and Puthandu
Vishu in Kerala and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu both celebrate the new year on the Sun's entry into Mesha rashi. In Kerala, the most cherished custom is the Vishukkani, an arrangement prepared the night before with rice, a bell metal vessel, golden konna flowers, cucumber, fruits, a lit lamp, a mirror, coins and an image of Lord Krishna. On Vishu morning, family members are led with their eyes covered to see the kani as the first sight of the year, a wish for a bright and abundant year ahead. Elders then give Vishukaineetam, small gifts of money, to children and younger relatives, and the day is filled with the sound of padakkam, or firecrackers, and a festive Vishu sadya.
Puthandu marks the first day of the Tamil month of Chithirai. Homes are cleaned and decorated with kolam, families visit temples, and many prepare mango pachadi, a dish that blends sweet, sour and bitter flavours as a reminder that life brings all of them. The same solar new year is also welcomed as Bohag Bihu in Assam, Pohela Boishakh in Bengal and Maha Vishuva Sankranti, or Pana Sankranti, in Odisha.
How it is observed
- Arranging the Vishukkani and viewing it first thing in the morning
- Giving Vishukaineetam to children and younger family members
- Drawing kolam at the entrance and visiting the temple for Puthandu
- Preparing a Vishu sadya or mango pachadi with family
- Wearing new clothes and greeting elders for the new year
Vishu and Puthandu dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sunday, 14 April 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Monday, 14 April 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Tuesday, 14 April 2026 | Past |
| 2027 | Wednesday, 14 April 2027 | Next |
| 2028 | Friday, 14 April 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Saturday, 14 April 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Sunday, 14 April 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated widely in: Kerala Tamil Nadu
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Kerala
Vishu
The day begins with the Vishukkani, an arrangement of konna flowers, rice, fruits, gold and a lamp seen first on waking. Elders give Vishukkaineetam (money) to children, and fireworks fill the evening.
Coastal Karnataka (Tulu Nadu)
Bisu
Tulu-speaking families celebrate Bisu as their New Year with a Bisu kani of harvest produce and a festive meal.
Tamil Nadu
Puthandu
The Tamil New Year is welcomed with kolams, a tray of fruits and flowers, and mango pachadi that mixes sweet, sour and bitter tastes.
Punjab, Haryana
Vaisakhi
The North celebrates the solar new year as Vaisakhi, the wheat harvest festival and founding day of the Khalsa.
Date: Wednesday, 14 April 2027
Assam
Bohag Bihu
The Assamese New Year falls in the same season, reckoned by the Assamese calendar, with Bihu songs and dances.
West Bengal, Odisha
Pohela Boishakh, Pana Sankranti
Bengal and Odisha begin their new years in the same season. Their calendars set the day by their own rules, so it can be a day apart.
Other regions welcome the same solar new year as Baisakhi, Bohag Bihu, Pohela Boishakh and Pana Sankranti.
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