From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tamil calendar
Tamil calendar
No. Kizhamai (Tamil) Weekday (English) Vaasara (Sanskrit) Lord or Planet Gregorian Calendar equivalent
01. ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழைம Gnaayitru-kizhamai Ravi-vaasara Sun Sunday
02. திங்கட்கிழைம Thingat-kizhamai Soma-vaasara Moon Monday
03. ெசவ்வாய்க்கிழைம Sevvaai-kizhamai Mangala-vaasara Mars Tuesday
04. புதன்கிழைம Buthan-kizhamai Budha-vaasara Mercury Wednesday
05. வியாழக்கிழைம Viyaazha-kizhamai Guru Vaasara Jupiter Thursday
06. ெவள்ளிக்கிழைம Velli-kizhamai Sukra-vaasara Venus Friday
07. சனிக்கிழைம Sani-kizhamai Shani-vaasara Saturn Saturday
The Tamil calendar is a solar and sidereal Hindu calendar mencement of the year in the Puranaanooru.[2][3] The
used in Tamil Nadu. It is also used in Pondicherry (India), Tolkaapiyam is the oldest surviving Tamil grammar that
and by the Tamil population in Malaysia, Singapore, divides the year into six seasons where Chitterai marks
Mauritius and Sri Lanka. It is also used by Telugu speak- the start of the Ilavenil season or summer. The 8th cen-
ing people in Tamil Nadu. It is used today for cultural, tury Silappadikaaram mentions the 12 Raasis or zodiac
religious and agricultural events, with the Gregorian cal- signs starting with Mesha/Chitterai.[4] The Manimekalai
endar largely used for official purposes both within and alludes to the Hindu solar calendar as we know it today.
outside India. The Tamil calendar is based on the classical Adiyaarkunalaar, an early medieval commentator or
Hindu solar calendar also used in Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Urai-asiriyar, mentions the 12 months of the Tamil Hindu
Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Rajasthan and the Punjab. calendar with particular reference to Chitterai. There
There are several festivals based on the Tamil Hindu were subsequent inscriptional references in Pagan, Bur-
calendar. The Tamil New Year follows the nirayanam ver- ma dated to the 11th century CE and in Sukhothai, Thai-
nal equinox and generally falls on 13 or 14 April of the land dated to the 14th century CE to South Indian, often
Gregorian year. 13 or 14 April marks the first day of the Vaishnavite, courtiers who were tasked with defining the
traditional Tamil calendar and this remains a public hol- traditional calendar that began in mid-April.[5]
iday in both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Tropical vernal
equinox fall around 22 March, and adding 23 degrees of
trepidation or oscillation to it, we get the Hindu sidere-
Week
al or Nirayana Mesha Sankranti (Sun’s transition into ni- The days of the Tamil Calendar relate to the celestial
rayana Aries). Hence, the Tamil calendar begins on the bodies in the solar system: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury,
same date in April which is observed by most traditional Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, in that order. The week starts
calendars of the rest of India - Assam, Bengal, Kerala, with Sunday.
Orissa, Manipur, Punjab etc. This also coincides with the This list compiles the days of the week in the Tamil
traditional new year in Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, calendar:
Bangladesh Nepal and Thailand. The 60-year cycle is also For Tamils the each day begins at the sun rise. The
very ancient and is observed by most traditional calen- evening of Thursday(the meeting point of Thursday and
dars of India and China, and is related to 5 revolutions of Friday) loans are to be eschewed during this period till
Jupiter according to popular belief, or to 60-year orbit of Friday wanes off. In this regard Paruthimar Kalingar has
Nakshatras (stars) as mentioned in Surya Siddhanta. done extensive research to prove the beginning of a
The traditional Tamil year starts on 13 April 2012, Tamil day
Kaliyuga 5114. Vikrama and Shalivahana Saka eras are al-
so used. There are several references in early Tamil lit- Months
erature to the April new year. Nakkirar, the author of
the Nedunalvaadai writes in the 3rd century that the The number of days in a month varies between 29 and 32.
Sun travels from Mesha/Chitterai through 11 successive The following list compiles the months of the Tamil
Raasis or signs of the zodiac.[1] Kūdalūr Kizhaar in the Calendar.
3rd century refers to Mesha Raasi/Chitterai as the com-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tamil calendar
No. Month (Tamil) Month (English) Sanskrit Name * Gregorian Calendar equivalent
01. சித்திைர Cittirai Chaitra mid-April to mid-May
02. ைவகாசி Vaikāci Vaisākha mid-May to mid-June
03. ஆனி Āni Jyaishtha mid-June to mid-July
04. ஆடி Āṭi Āshāḍha mid-July to mid-August
05. ஆவணி Āvaṇi Shrāvaṇa mid-August to mid-September
06. புரட்டாசி Puraṭṭāci Bhādrapada/Prauṣṭhapada mid-September to mid-October
07. ஐப்பசி Aippaci Ashwina mid-October to mid-November
08. கார்த்திைக Kārttikai Kārttika mid-November to mid-December
09. மார்கழி Mārkazhi Mārgaṣīrṣa mid-December to mid-January
10. ைத Tai Pausha/Taiṣya mid-January to mid-February
11. மாசி Māci Māgha mid-February to mid-March
12. பங்குனி Paṅkuni Phalguna mid-March to mid-April
Season in Tamil English Transliter- English Trans- Season in San- Season in Tamil Months Gregorian
ation lation skrit English Months
இளேவனில் ila-venil Light warmth Vasanta Spring chithirai, Mid Apr - Mid
vaigāsi Jun
முதுேவனில் mutu-venil Harsh warmth Grishma Summer āni, ādi Mid Jun - Mid
Aug
கார் kār Dark clouds, Varsha Rainy āvani, puratā- Mid Aug - Mid
Rain ci Oct
குளிர் kulir Chill, Cold Sharada Autumn aippasi, Mid Oct - Mid
kārthigai Dec
முன்பனி mun-pani Early dew Hemanta Early winter mārkazhi, tai Mid Dec - Mid
Feb
பின்பனி pin-pani Late dew Sishira Late winter māsi, panguni Mid Feb - Mid
Apr
Note: The Sanskrit months above would start one month currently used. This 60-year cycle is also used in the Chi-
ahead of Tamil months since the Tamil calendar is a solar nese calendar.
calendar while the Sanskrit calendar is a lunisolar calen- After the completion of sixty years, the calendar
dar starts anew with the first year. This corresponds to the
Hindu "century." The Vakya or Tirukannitha Panchangam
Seasons (the traditional Tamil almanac) outlines this sequence.
The following list presents the current 60-year cycle
The Tamil year, in keeping with the old Indic calendar, is of the Tamil calendar:
divided into six seasons, each of which lasts two months:
Celebrations
Sixty-year cycle The months of the Tamil Calendar have great significan-
The 60-year cycle of the Tamil calendar is common to ce and are deeply rooted in the faith of the Tamil Hindus.
North and South Indian traditional calendars, with the Some months are considered very auspicious while a few
same name and sequence of years. Its earliest reference are considered inauspicious as well.
is to be found in Surya Siddhanta, which Varahamihirar Some of the celebrations for each month are listed
(550 CE) believed to be the most accurate of the then cur- below. Dates in parentheses are not exact and usually
rent theories of astronomy. However, in the Surya Sid- vary by a day or two. Underneath (or beside) the months
dhantic list, the first year was Vijaya and not Prabhava as of the Hindu calendar are their Gregorian counterparts.
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tamil calendar
No. Name Name (English) Gregorian Year No. Name Name (English) Gregorian Year
01. பிரபவ Prabhava 1987–1988 31. ேஹவிளம்பி Hevilambi 2017–2018
02. விபவ Vibhava 1988–1989 32. விளம்பி Vilambi 2018–2019
03. சுக்ல Sukla 1989–1990 33. விகாரி Vikari 2019–2020
04. பிரேமாதூத Pramodoota 1990–1991 34. சார்வரி Sarvari 2020–2021
05. பிரேசாற்பத்தி Prachorpaththi 1991–1992 35. பிலவ Plava 2021–2022
06. ஆங்கீ ரச Aangirasa 1992–1993 36. சுபகிருது Subakrith 2022–2023
07. ஸ்ரீமுக Srimukha 1993–1994 37. ேசாபகிருது Sobakrith 2023–2024
08. பவ Bhava 1994–1995 38. குேராதி Krodhi 2024–2025
09. யுவ Yuva 1995–1996 39. விசுவாசுவ Visuvaasuva 2025–2026
10. தாது Dhaatu 1996–1997 40. பரபாவ Parabhaava 2026–2027
11. ஈஸ்வர Eesvara 1997–1998 41. பிலவங்க Plavanga 2027–2028
12. ெவகுதானிய Bahudhanya 1998–1999 42. கீ லக Keelaka 2028–2029
13. பிரமாதி Pramathi 1999–2000 43. ெசௗமிய Saumya 2029–2030
14. விக்கிரம Vikrama 2000–2001 44. சாதாரண Sadharana 2030–2031
15. விஷு Vishu 2001–2002 45. விேராதகிருது Virodhikrithu 2031–2032
16. சித்திரபானு Chitrabaanu 2002–2003 46. பரிதாபி Paridhaabi 2032–2033
17. சுபானு Subhaanu 2003–2004 47. பிரமாதீச Pramaadhisa 2033–2034
18. தாரண Dhaarana 2004–2005 48. ஆனந்த Aanandha 2034–2035
19. பார்த்திப Paarthiba 2005–2006 49. ராட்சச Rakshasa 2035–2036
20. விய Viya 2006–2007 50. நள Nala 2036–2037
21. சர்வசித்து Sarvajith 2007–2008 51. பிங்கள Pingala 2037–2038
22. சர்வதாரி Sarvadhari 2008–2009 52. காளயுக்தி Kalayukthi 2038–2039
23. விேராதி Virodhi 2009–2010 53. சித்தார்த்தி Siddharthi 2039–2040
24. விக்ருதி Vikruthi 2010–2011 54. ெரௗத்திரி Raudhri 2040–2041
25. கர Kara 2011–2012 55. துன்மதி Dunmathi 2041–2042
26. நந்தன Nandhana 2012–2013 56. துந்துபி Dhundubhi 2042–2043
27. விஜய Vijaya 2013–2014 57. ருத்ேராத்காரி Rudhrodhgaari 2043–2044
28. ஜய Jaya 2014–2015 58. ரக்தாட்சி Raktakshi 2044–2045
29. மன்மத Manmatha 2015–2016 59. குேராதன Krodhana 2045–2046
30. துன்முகி Dhunmuki 2016–2017 60. அட்சய Akshaya 2046–2047
Significance • This calendar contains a calculation of something
over three hundred million years for the age of the
• The Hindus developed a system of calendrics that present earth since sedimentation occurred, and a
encapsulates vast periods of time. For computing the period of somewhat more than eighteen million
age of the earth and various geological and other years since the first appearance of our mankind.
epochs, as well as the age of mankind, they still • The 10th Tamil month, called Thai, falls in mid-
employ a Tamil calendar derived from ancient January each year. It is celebrated with much
astronomical data, known as the Tirukkanida enthusiasm within the Tamil Community all over the
Panchanga (cf. The Secret Doctrine, 2:49-51). world. Thai is marked by gifts of new clothing for
family members and prayers to God for prosperity in
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tamil calendar
Month Days Notes
சித்திைர - Chithi- 14 April - Chitra Pournami & Varusha pirappu are the most important festivals in this
rai(April) 14 May month. Famous Chithirai thiruvizha is ceiebrated in Madurai Meenakshi Amman
temple.
ைவகாசி - 15 May - Vaikaasi Visaakam is the most important day in this month.
Vaikaasi(May) 14 June
ஆணி - Aani(June) 15 June - Aani Thirumanjanam or Aani Uttaram for Lord Nataraja is the most famous day
14 July in this month.
ஆடி - Aadi(July) 15 July - A most important month for women. The most auspicious days are Fridays and
14 August Tuesdays in this month, these are called Aadi Velli and Aadi Chevvai and the Aa-
di Amavasya. Aadi Pooram is also a special day.18th day of adi is the most impor-
tant day for the farmers (delta region) they prepare paddy seedlings.during this
month "kanchi varthal" is famous in amman temples
ஆவணி - Aa- 15 August An important month with many rituals. Brahmins change their sacred thread on
vani(August) - 15 Aavani Avittam. Each Sunday of the month is dedicated to prayers - Aavani
September Gnayiru.
புரட்டாசி - Purat- 15 An important month for Vaishnavas. Purattaasi Sani(Saturday) is an auspicious
taasi(September) September day for Lord Vishnu.
- 15 Octo-
ber
ஐப்பசி - Aippasi(Oc- 15 October The monsoons typically start over Tamil Nadu in this month. Hence the saying,
tober) - 14 "Aippasi Mazhai, adai mazhai" - meaning "Aippasi rains are persistent rains".
November Also Annaabishekam for Lord Shiva is very famous in this month. The most fa-
mous Hindu festival "Deepavali" is celebrated in this month. The Fridays of this
month - Aipassi velli - are dedicated to religious observance.
கார்த்திைக - 15 Novem- Another auspicious celebration for Shiva devotees is Thirukaarthigai. The
Karthikai(November) ber - 14 Krithikaa Pournami is the special day of the full moon in the month of
December Kaarthikai, and the star is Krithikaa.
Each Monday of this month is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Every
Monday is called "Somavaaram" when 108 or 1008 sangabhishekam are offered
to Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga.
மார்கழி - 15 Decem- This is another special month in the Tamil Calendar. Temples open earlier in the
Maargazhi(December) ber - 14 mornings and Devotees throng the temples early for puja and prasadam - the of-
January fering made to the deity which is later distributed to the devotees. Arudra
Darisanam (Thiruvaadirai star in Tamil) is the most auspicious day in this
month. This is also a very popular festival in Kerala, where it is called Thiru-
vaadira. The offering made to Lord siva is the Thiruvaadira Kali. Mukkodi
Ekathesi is called "Sorgavasal Thirappu" for Lord Vishnu. The Tiruvembaavai
fast takes place in this month.
ைத - Thai(January) 15 January Pongal, which is the harvest festival, is celebrated on the first day of this month.
(pronounced Thy) - 14 Febru- Thai Friday is a popular day among Telugu speaking peoples settled in Tamil
ary Nadu. Thaipusam is also a special day for Murugan devotees, who carry Kavadis
to one of the Aarupadaiveedu (Literally meaning "six abodes").
மாசி - Maasi(Febru- 15 Febru- Maasi Magam is the special day of which comes in this Month. Shivaratri is an
ary) ary - 14 important festival widely celebrated by Hindus in this month.
March
பங்குனி - Pangu- 15 March - Panguni Uthiram, the last month of the year, is a famous festival and special to
ni(March) 13 April Murugan and Siva devotees.
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tamil calendar
the coming year. Thai and the fifth month Aavani are • The total number of days in a Tamil Calendar is an
considered very auspicious for marriage and most average 365 days and the days of the week are
marriages occur during these months. named similarly to those of the western calendar.
• The fourth month Aadi is considered inauspicious, so The Vakiya Panchangam is employed for both sacred
weddings do not often fall in this month. Aadi is also and civil calculations. The Trikanitha Panchangam is
the month of preparation for the next crop cycle by employed for astrological calculations.
farmers. Therefore, farming communities avoid
major events like weddings in this month. Those
members of the Tamil community who don’t actively
Festivals
contribute/participate in farming take advantage by The Tamil Calendar is so important to the life of Tamil-
having important functions like wedding in this speaking people that most of the Festivals of Tamil Nadu
month. For example, the business community are based on it. Some of Festivals include Tamil New Year
prefers this month for weddings. Asdi is usually the or Puthandu in mid-April, Thai Pongal, Deepavali, Pangu-
worst month for business, although when businesses ni Uthiram, Thirukaarthigai, Aadiperukku, Navaratri etc.
recently initiated Aadi discounts, this situation has
changed significantly. Each Friday of this month is
set aside for prayer and worship.
See also
• Aadi ia an inauspicious month for newlyweds to sleep • Puthandu or Tamil New Year
together because a woman who conceives in this • Candravakyas
month will have a difficult delivery in May, the
hottest month in Tamil Nadu (Agni natchathiram External links
[pinezu] last 7 days of Chitharai and [munezu] first 7
days of Vaigasi).?) • Tamil Calendar 2012 @ tamildailycalendar.in
• Purattaasi is when most of the non-vegetarian Tamil • [1] @ Tamil Calendar for all past and future years
people fast from meat for a month. This faith can be (தமிழ் நாள்காட்டி)
considered similar to fasts undertaken by Muslims
during Ramadan. Each Saturday of this month is set References
apart to venerate the planet Saturn.
• Deepavali, is celebrated on the new moon day, in the [1] Lines 160 to 162 of the Nedunalvaadai
seventh month Aipassi. The month of Aipassi is [2] Poem 229 of Puranaanooru
usually characterised by the North-East Monsoon in [3] Professor Vaiyapuri Pillai, ’History of Tamil
Tamil Nadu, which has given birth to a phrase, Language and Literature’ Chennai, 1956 page 35,
Aipassi Adai Mazhai meaning the "Non-stop 151
Downpour". [4] Canto 26 of Silappadikaaram. Canto 5 also describes
• Maargazhi falls in winter in Tamil Nadu, and is the foremost festival in the Chola country - the
considered auspicious for unmarried women to find Indra Vizha celebrated in Chitterai
a groom. The Shaivite fast of Tiru-vembaavai and the [5] G.H. Luce, Old Burma - Early Pagan, Locust Valley,
Vaishnava fast of Tiru-paavai are also observed in New York, Page 68, and A.B. Griswold, ’Towards a
this month. History of Sukhodaya Art, Bangkok 1967, pages
12-32
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Categories:
• Hindu calendar
• Specific calendars
• Tamil culture
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