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The first day of Tamil calender is celebrated as Tamil New Year.Just as there are 12 months in English calender,Tamil calender also has 12 months namely

Chithirai Mid April to mid May

Vaigasi mid May to mid June

Aani mid June to mid July

Aadi mid July to mid August

Aavani mid August to mid September

Puratasi mid September to mid October

Ipasi mid October to mid November

Karthigai mid November to mid December

Marghazhi mid December to mid January

Thai mid January to mid February

Maasi mid February to mid March

Panguni mid March to mid April

The Tamil calender is associated with "PANCHANGAM" which is not only a religious one but also used for calculating the rotation and revolution of planetary bodies.It guides people to choose auspicious rituals such as marriage,to tabulate horoscopes,finding out the positions of the heavenly bodies at the time of birth of child.



Chithirai Thirunaal marks the dawn of new hope and prosperity.It indicates the need for a sense of preparedness to accept what the New Year has in store for every individual.Therefore Mango Pachadi is prepared using jaggery and neem flowers,indicating their compatability to accept success and failure in equal terms during the course of the year

MANGO PACHADI

Ingredients
Raw mango-1
Jaggery- 2 to 3 cups
Salt-a pinch
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

For Seasoning
Oil-as required
Mustard-1 tsp
Urad dal-1 tsp
Red chilly-2
Neem flowers-1 tsp



Method
Peel out the skin of the mango
Slice them thinly leaving off the seed
Add salt,turmeric powder and pressure cook till done
Blend the cooked mango
Dissolve the jaggery in little water and strain it
Add this to the mango mix and allow to boil for 10 min
Season with the ingredients