The wafting fragrance of neem flowers and green raw mangoes herald the Tamil New Year. On the New Year’s Day the house is decorated with beautiful kolams, and the entrance of the house is decorated with festoons made of palm and mango leaves. A typical dish ‘Veppampoo Pachadi’ is prepared along with other festive dishes. This Pachadi has all the six tastes- sweet, salt, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent. Hindu philosophy teaches us to maintain a sense of equilibrium through the ups and downs of life. Life has its moments of pathos and glee and we should take it all in stride and proceed ahead. Veppampoo pachadi is a symbolic reminder of the different facets of life. If we smile through our struggles, ultimately life will be sweet like this Pachadi’s lingering sweetness.

Introductory speech in this video by Smt. Lalitha Chandrasekaran.

Jaya Jaya Sankara, Hara Hara Sankara