You will find most Tamil homes decorated outside with “Kolams” a beautiful handcrafted design made from coloured powder or rice made by the lady or ladies of the house. Preparations also involve cleaning the house, to welcome the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, making delicacies to enjoy and prayers. Although my family is not strictly of Tamil origin and nor are we Hindus. we celebrate everything in Malaysia and plus half of my relatives are Hindus so we joined in everything.

May Lakshmi visit your home today and bless you with health, wealth and happiness.

Some interesting facts from Wiki:

The Tamil New Year follows the vernal equinox and generally falls on 14 April of the Gregorian year. 14 April marks the first day of the traditional Tamil calendar and is a public holiday in both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.Tamil people celebrate Tamil new year on 14 April. This is the month of Chitterai, the first month of the Tamil solar calendar. On the eve of Puthandu, a tray arranged with three fruits (mango,banana and jack fruit), betel leaves and arecanut, gold/silver jewellery, coins/money, flowers and a mirror is placed. This is to be viewed upon waking in the morning. In the temple city of Madurai, the Chitterai Thiruvizha is celebrated in theMeenakshi Temple. A huge exhibition is held, called Chitterai Porutkaatchi. In some parts of Southern Tamil Nadu, it is called Chittirai Vishu. The day is marked with a feast in Tamilhomes and entrances to the houses are decorated elaborately with kolams. In most parts of India, one can see neem trees blooming with their flowers and the first batch of mangoes hanging prominently. This day is celebrated by some communities with neem flowers and raw mangoes to symbolize growth and prosperity.