Chennai, April 14 (IANS): Tamil Nadu ushered in Vijaya, the Tamil New Year, Sunday with traditional fervour with people visiting temples in the morning.

Friends and relatives greeted each other wishing 'Puthandu Vazthukkal' (New Year greetings) in person, over phone, via email and SMSes.

The Tamil New Year is celebrated on the first day of Tamil month Chithirai, which normally falls on April 13 or 14 every year.

"We got up early and went to the temple. We decorated outside the front door with special kolam (rangoli). Mango leaf streamers adorned the door frames," S. Jayashree, a housewife here told IANS.

All the popular temples here, including Sri Parthasarathy Temple and Kapaleeswarar Temple among other,s were crowded since morning.

In some temples, the almanac for the New Year was read.

At home, Tamilians feasted on dishes like vada and payasam (sweet dish) and other savouries were being prepared.

The special dish of the day is the 'mango pachidi' made with neem flowers, jaggery, mango, green chilli, salt and tamarind juice representing the six major emotions that humans experience.

"We hope Vijaya will be a great year with good rainfall and harvest," Jayashree said.