Happier Tamil New Year, Vaisakhi, Vishu celebrations after 2 years

KUALA LUMPUR - After a two-year low-key celebrations, the Tamil, Sikh and Malayalee communities in Malaysia are all set to usher in their respective major festivals grandly tomorrow and Friday.

Chittirai Puttandu, the Tamil New Year, and Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year, will be celebrated tomorrow (April 14) while the Vishu festival will be observed by the Malayalee community on Friday (April 15).

Malaysia Hindu Sangam president Datuk R.S Mohan Shan said the Tamil community is expected to celebrate the Tamil New Year on a grand scale across the country to usher in a new beginning following the relaxations given as the country entered the transition to the endemic phase on April 1.

He said the Tamil community can now attend prayer activities in temples without the need for any physical distancing.

"This year is known as Subakiruthu year and it begins at 10.24 am on April 14,” he told Bernama when contacted today.

The birth of the Tamil month of Chittirai is marked annually on the first day of the Tamil solar calendar.

Since April 1, Malaysians, in line with the country’s transition to the endemic phase, have been able to enjoy relaxation in restrictions, with the implementation of a set of SOPs and nine guidelines, which have been simplified from 181 requirements under the National Recovery Plan (PPN), towards returning to normal life.

Meanwhile, the president of the Malaysian Hindu Malayalee Cultural and Traditional Association (PAKAR Malayalee Malaysia), Dr N.R Nambiar said that this new year will be more meaningful since everyone gets a chance to celebrate with their family, unlike last year or in 2020.

"Due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed following the COVID-19 pandemic in the last two years, we could not celebrate with our families. Most of us celebrated virtually but this year everyone can get together at their parent's house and prepare the Vishukkani, which is a panorama of auspicious items, with flowers, Tulasi (holy basil), Konnapoo (Cassia fistula flower), grains, rice and a mirror,” he said.

He also noted that according to the official panjangam (almanac) of Sri Guruvayoorappan Devaswom Kerala; Kerala Mathrubumi Panjangam; Kerala Valya Panjangam and Kerala Manorama Panjangam, Vishu will be celebrated on Friday (April 15).

Vishu marks the first day of the Zodiac New Year, the first day of the month called Medam. - Bernama