Some communities celebrate this day with neem flowers and raw mangoes to symbolize growth and prosperity.A huge exhibition is held,called Chitterai Porutkaatchi,which is called Chitterai Vishu,in some parts of Tamil Nadu.

The day is marked with a feast.Food item is the main focus on this day. 'Maanga Pachadi' is the main attraction and dish of the festival. It is a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery, neem flowers, salt, sour and bitter.

This mixture of ingradients is symbolic of various colors of life.It signifies that the life has to face good and bad and also,everything from success to defeat. At the time of New Year festivities, a grand Car Festival also takes place at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam.

In Sri Lanka,the Tamilians observe the traditional new year in April with the first financial transaction known as the 'Kai-Vishesham', when the elders gift money to the unmarried youngsters, as a token of good luck.

The Puthandu season is a ideal time for the family visits and refreshing the relations. It coincides with the Sinhalese new year season.

The most popular tradition is to view a "Kanni" at early morning time, with a hope to bring good luck. People start the day by watching some auspicious items like gold, silver jewelery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits,vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts.On this day people are engrossed in merrymaking, feasting and they exchange gifts with each other.

In Sri Lanka, the year begins with a herbal bath with 'Maruthu-Neer' for good health.The game of 'Por-Thenkai' or coconut wars between youth is played in villages through the Tamil north and east of the island while cart races are also held.

The event is also observed with the first ploughing of the ground to prepare for the new agricultural cycle,which is called "Arpudu".The 'Punya-Kaalam',is the auspicious time since the sun transits from Meena rashi to Mesha rashi.This is considered to be the most favourable time to begin new activities.