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Hindu festival · San Francisco Bay Area

Puthandu

Why it matters

Marks the beginning of a regional Hindu year or solar month and is observed as a time for renewal, auspicious beginnings and gratitude.

The story behind it

Different Indian calendars begin the year according to lunar or solar calculations, so New Year traditions vary by region while sharing themes of renewal and dharma.

Prayers and worship

Temple darshan, Ganesha/Vishnu/Devi or family-deity worship, reading or hearing the new Panchāṅgam in some traditions, and prayers for health and righteous prosperity are common.

Fasting and devotional customs

Homes are cleaned and decorated, new clothes may be worn, elders are honored and region-specific foods symbolize the mixed experiences of life and hopes for the year ahead.

What is typically offered

Flowers, fruit, coconuts, lamps, new-year foods and decorations such as rangoli or kolam.

Visiting a temple that day

Expect regional foods and customs rather than one uniform “Hindu New Year.” Ask volunteers which calendar tradition the temple is observing. Temple practices vary by region and sampradaya. Dress modestly, remove footwear where required, follow priest/volunteer directions, ask before photography, and check the temple’s event page for exact pooja, fasting and prasādam arrangements.

Spiritual themes

Renewal, auspicious beginnings, gratitude, resilience and dharma.

Tamil solar new year. This date was derived for the Fremont anchor from standard tithi, nakṣatra and solar-ingress rules. Dates are compiled for the Fremont / Bay Area location and checked against Northern-California Panchāṅgam references. They can differ from a calendar computed for another city or another sampradāya. Please confirm any date on which you plan a ceremony with Sri Kumar Gurukkal. How these dates are calculated →