King, Queen extend Tamil New Year, Vishu greetings

KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, today extended their Tamil New Year and Vishu greetings to all Tamil and Malayalee communities in the country.

"A very happy Vishu to all our Malayalee friends and a blessed new year to all our Tamil friends.

"May the new year ahead bring you and your loved ones prosperity, happiness and good health. Stay safe fellow Malaysians," Their Majesties said in a posting on Istana Negara's official Facebook page.

The birth of the Tamil month of Chittirai is marked annually on the first day of the Tamil solar calendar, known this year as the Pilava Year.

Vishu marks the first day of the Zodiac New Year, the first day of the month called Medam, according to the official panjangam (almanac) of Sri Guruvayoorappan Devaswom Kerala; Kerala Mathrubumi Panjangam; Kerala Valya Panjangam and Kerala Manorama Panjangam.

-- BERNAMA