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The Tamil calendar is a solar and sidereal Hindu calendar used in Tamil Nadu. It is also used in Pondicherry (India), and by the Tamil population in Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. It is also used by Telugu speaking people in Tamil Nadu. It is used today for cultural, religious and agricultural events, with the Gregorian calendar largely used for official purposes both within and outside India. The Tamil calendar is based on the classical Hindu solar calendar also used in Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Rajasthan and the Punjab.

There are several festivals based on the Tamil Hindu calendar. The Tamil New Year follows the nirayanam vernal equinox and generally falls on 13 or 14 April of the Gregorian year. 13 or 14 April marks the first day of the traditional Tamil calendar and this remains a public holiday 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 sidereal or Nirayana Mesha Sankranti (Sun's transition into nirayana Aries). Hence, the Tamil calendar begins on the same date in April which is observed by most traditional calendars of the rest of India - Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Orissa, Manipur, Punjab etc. This also coincides with the traditional new year in Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh Nepal and Thailand. The 60-year cycle is also very ancient and is observed by most traditional calendars of India and China, and is related to 5 revolutions of Jupiter according to popular belief, or to 60-year orbit of Nakshatras (stars) as mentioned in Surya Siddhanta.

The traditional Tamil year starts on 13 April 2012, Kaliyuga 5114. Vikrama and Shalivahana Saka eras are also used. There are several references in early Tamil literature to the April new year. Nakkirar, the author of the Nedunalvaadai writes in the 3rd century that the Sun travels from Mesha/Chitterai through 11 successive Raasis or signs of the zodiac.[1] Kūdalūr Kizhaar in the 3rd century refers to Mesha Raasi/Chitterai as the commencement of the year in the Puranaanooru.[2][3] The Tolkaapiyam is the oldest surviving Tamil grammar that divides the year into six seasons where Chitterai marks the start of the Ilavenil season or summer. The 8th century Silappadikaaram mentions the 12 Raasis or zodiac signs starting with Mesha/Chitterai.[4] The Manimekalai alludes to the Hindu solar calendar as we know it today. Adiyaarkunalaar, an early medieval commentator or Urai-asiriyar, mentions the 12 months of the Tamil Hindu calendar with particular reference to Chitterai. There were subsequent inscriptional references in Pagan, Burma dated to the 11th century CE and in Sukhothai, Thailand dated to the 14th century CE to South Indian, often Vaishnavite, courtiers who were tasked with defining the traditional calendar that began in mid-April.[5]

Contents [hide]

1 Week 2 Months 3 Seasons

4 Sixty-year cycle 5 Celebrations 6 Significance 7 Festivals 8 See also 9 References 10 External links

[edit] WeekThe days of the Tamil Calendar relate to the celestial bodies in the solar system: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, in that order. The week starts with Sunday.

This list compiles the days of the week in the Tamil calendar:

No. Kizhamai (Tamil) Weekday (English)

Vaasara (Sanskrit)

Lord or Planet

Gregorian Calendar equivalent

01. ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை� Gnaayitru-kizhamai Ravi-vaasara Sun Sunday

02. திங்கட்கிழமை� Thingat-kizhamai Soma-vaasara Moon Monday03. செ�வ்வாய்க்கிழமை� Sevvaai-kizhamai Mangala-vaasara Mars Tuesday04. புதன்கிழமை� Buthan-kizhamai Budha-vaasara Mercury Wednesday

05. வியாழக்கிழமை� Viyaazha-kizhamai Guru Vaasara Jupiter Thursday

06. செவள்ளிக்கிழமை� Velli-kizhamai Sukra-vaasara Venus Friday07. �னிக்கிழமை� Sani-kizhamai Shani-vaasara Saturn Saturday

For Tamils the each day begins at the sun rise. The evening of Thursday(the meeting point of Thursday and Friday) loans are to be eschewed during this period till Friday wanes off. In this regard Paruthimar Kalingar has done extensive research to prove the beginning of a Tamil day

[edit] MonthsThe number of days in a month varies between 29 and 32.

The following list compiles the months of the Tamil Calendar.

No. Month (Tamil) Month (English) Sanskrit Name * Gregorian Calendar equivalent

01. �ித்திமை� Cittirai Chaitra mid-April to mid-May02. மைவகா�ி Vaikāci Vaisākha mid-May to mid-June03. ஆனி Āni Jyaishtha mid-June to mid-July04. ஆடி Āṭi Āshāḍha mid-July to mid-August

05. ஆவணி Āvaṇi Shrāvaṇa mid-August to mid-September06. பு�ட்டா�ி Puraṭṭāci Bhādrapada/Prauṣṭhapada mid-September to mid-October07. ஐப்ப�ி Aippaci Ashwina mid-October to mid-November

08. கார்த்திமைக Kārttikai Kārttika mid-November to mid-December

09. �ார்கழி Mārkazhi Mārgaṣīrṣa mid-December to mid-January10. மைத Tai Pausha/Taiṣya mid-January to mid-February11. �ா�ி Māci Māgha mid-February to mid-March12. பங்குனி Paṅkuni Phalguna mid-March to mid-April

Note: The Sanskrit months above would start one month ahead of Tamil months since the Tamil calendar is a solar calendar while the Sanskrit calendar is a lunisolar calendar

[edit] SeasonsThe Tamil year, in keeping with the old Indic calendar, is divided into six seasons, each of which lasts two months:

Season in Tamil English Transliteration

English Translation

Season in Sanskrit

Season in

English

Tamil Months

Gregorian Months

இளவேவனில் ila-venil Light warmth Vasanta Spring chithirai, vaigāsi

Mid Apr - Mid Jun

முதுவேவனில் mutu-venil Harsh warmth Grishma Summer āni, ādi Mid Jun -

Mid Aug

கார் kār Dark clouds, Rain Varsha Rainy āvani,

puratāciMid Aug - Mid Oct

குளிர் kulir Chill, Cold Sharada Autumn aippasi, kārthigai

Mid Oct - Mid 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

[edit] Sixty-year cycleThe 60-year cycle of the Tamil calendar is common to North and South Indian traditional calendars, with the same name and sequence of years. Its earliest reference is to be found in Surya Siddhanta, which Varahamihirar (550 CE) believed to be the most accurate of the then current theories of astronomy. However, in the Surya Siddhantic list, the first year was Vijaya and not Prabhava as currently used. This 60-year cycle is also used in the Chinese calendar.

After the completion of sixty years, the calendar starts anew with the first year. This corresponds to the Hindu "century." The Vakya or Tirukannitha Panchangam (the traditional Tamil almanac) outlines this sequence.

The following list presents the current 60-year cycle of the Tamil calendar:

No. Name Name (English)

Gregorian Year No. Name Name

(English)Gregorian Year

01. பி�பவ Prabhava 1987–1988 31. வே,விளம்பி Hevilambi 2017–

2018

02. விபவ Vibhava 1988–1989 32. விளம்பி Vilambi 2018–

2019

03. சுக்ல Sukla 1989–1990 33. விகா�ி Vikari 2019–

2020

04. பி�வே�ாதூத Pramodoota 1990–1991 34. �ார்வ�ி Sarvari 2020–

2021

05. பி�வே�ாற்பத்தி

Prachorpaththi

1991–1992 35. பிலவ Plava 2021–

2022

06. ஆங்கீ�� Aangirasa 1992–1993 36. சுபகிருது Subakrith 2022–

2023

07. ஸ்ரீமுக Srimukha 1993–1994 37. வே�ாபகிருது Sobakrith 2023–

2024

08. பவ Bhava 1994–1995 38. குவே�ாதி Krodhi 2024–

2025

09. யுவ Yuva 1995–1996 39. விசுவாசுவ Visuvaasuva 2025–

2026

10. தாது Dhaatu 1996–1997 40. ப�பாவ Parabhaava 2026–

2027

11. ஈஸ்வ� Eesvara 1997–1998 41. பிலவங்க Plavanga 2027–

2028

12. செவகுதானிய Bahudhanya 1998–

1999 42. கீலக Keelaka 2028–2029

13. பி��ாதி Pramathi 1999–2000 43. செ�ௌ�ிய Saumya 2029–

2030

14. விக்கி�� Vikrama 2000–2001 44. �ாதா�ண Sadharana 2030–

2031

15. விஷு Vishu 2001–2002 45. விவே�ாதகிரு

து Virodhikrithu 2031–2032

16. �ித்தி�பானு Chitrabaanu 2002–2003 46. ப�ிதாபி Paridhaabi 2032–

2033

17. சுபானு Subhaanu 2003–2004 47. பி��ாதீ� Pramaadhisa 2033–

2034

18. தா�ண Dhaarana 2004–2005 48. ஆனந்த Aanandha 2034–

2035

19. பார்த்திப Paarthiba 2005–2006 49. �ாட்�� Rakshasa 2035–

2036

20. விய Viya 2006–2007 50. நள Nala 2036–

2037

21. �ர்வ�ித்து Sarvajith 2007–2008 51. பிங்கள Pingala 2037–

2038

22. �ர்வதா�ி Sarvadhari 2008–2009 52. காளயுக்தி Kalayukthi 2038–

203923. விவே�ாதி Virodhi 2009– 53. �ித்தார்த்தி Siddharthi 2039–

2010 2040

24. விக்ருதி Vikruthi 2010–2011 54. செ�ௌத்தி�ி Raudhri 2040–

2041

25. க� Kara 2011–2012 55. துன்�தி Dunmathi 2041–

2042

26. நந்தன Nandhana 2012–2013 56. துந்துபி Dhundubhi 2042–

2043

27. விஜய Vijaya 2013–2014 57. ருத்வே�ாத்கா�ி Rudhrodhgaa

ri2043–2044

28. ஜய Jaya 2014–2015 58. �க்தாட்�ி Raktakshi 2044–

2045

29. �ன்�த Manmatha 2015–2016 59. குவே�ாதன Krodhana 2045–

2046

30. துன்முகி Dhunmuki 2016–2017 60. அட்�ய Akshaya 2046–

2047

[edit] CelebrationsThe months of the Tamil Calendar have great significance and are deeply rooted in the faith of the Tamil Hindus. Some months are considered very auspicious while a few are considered inauspicious as well.

Some of the celebrations for each month are listed below. Dates in parentheses are not exact and usually vary by a day or two. Underneath (or beside) the months of the Hindu calendar are their Gregorian counterparts.

Month Days Notes

�ித்திமை� - Chithirai(April)

14 April - 14 May

Chitra Pournami & Varusha pirappu are the most important festivals in this month. Famous Chithirai thiruvizha is ceiebrated in Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple.

மைவகா�ி - Vaikaasi(May)

15 May - 14 June

Vaikaasi Visaakam is the most important day in this month.This month is most favorable month of Lord Subramainya (Murga Kadavul).

ஆணி - Aani(June) 15 June - 14 July

Aani Thirumanjanam or Aani Uttaram for Lord Nataraja is the most famous day in this month.

ஆடி - Aadi(July) 15 July - 14 August

A most important month for women. The most auspicious days are Fridays and Tuesdays in this month, these are called Aadi Velli and Aadi Chevvai and the Aadi Amavasya. Aadi Pooram is also a special day.18th day of adi is the most important day for the farmers (delta region) they prepare paddy seedlings.during this month "kanchi varthal" is famous in amman temples

ஆவணி - Aavani(August)

15 August - 15 September

An important month with many rituals. Brahmins change their sacred thread on Aavani Avittam. Each Sunday of the month is dedicated to prayers - Aavani Gnayiru.

பு�ட்டா�ி - Purattaasi(September)

15 September - 15 October

An important month for Vaishnavas. Purattaasi Sani(Saturday) is an auspicious day for Lord Vishnu.

ஐப்ப�ி - Aippasi(October)

15 October - 14 November

The monsoons typically start over Tamil Nadu in this month. Hence the saying, "Aippasi Mazhai, adai mazhai" - meaning "Aippasi rains are persistent rains".

Also Annaabishekam for Lord Shiva is very famous in this month. The most famous Hindu festival "Deepavali" is celebrated in this month. The Fridays of this month - Aipassi velli - are dedicated to religious observance.

கார்த்திமைக - Karthikai(November)

15 November - 14 December

Another auspicious celebration for Shiva devotees is Thirukaarthigai. The Krithikaa Pournami is the special day of the full moon in the month of 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.

�ார்கழி - Maargazhi(December)

15 December - 14 January

This is another special month in the Tamil Calendar. Temples open earlier in the mornings and Devotees throng the temples early for puja and prasadam - the offering 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 Thiruvaadira. 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.

மைத - Thai(January)(pronounced Thy)

15 January - 14 February

Pongal, which is the harvest festival, is celebrated on the first day of this month. Thai Friday is a popular day among Telugu speaking peoples settled in Tamil Nadu. Thaipusam is also a special day for Murugan devotees, who carry Kavadis to one of the Aarupadaiveedu (Literally meaning "six abodes").

�ா�ி - Maasi(February)

15 February - 14 March

Maasi Magam is the special day of which comes in this Month. Shivaratri is an important festival widely celebrated by Hindus in this month.

பங்குனி - Panguni(March)

15 March - 13 April

Panguni Uthiram, the last month of the year, is a famous festival and special to Murugan and Siva devotees.

[edit] Significance The Hindus developed a system of calendrics that encapsulates vast periods of time.

For computing the age of the earth and various geological and other epochs, as well as

the age of mankind, they still employ a Tamil calendar derived from ancient astronomical data, known as the Tirukkanida Panchanga (cf. The Secret Doctrine, 2:49-51).

This calendar contains a calculation of something over three hundred million years for the age of the present earth since sedimentation occurred, and a period of somewhat more than eighteen million years since the first appearance of our mankind.

The 10th Tamil month, called Thai, falls in mid-January each year. It is celebrated with much enthusiasm within the Tamil Community all over the world. Thai is marked by gifts of new clothing for family members and prayers to God for prosperity in the coming year. Thai and the fifth month Aavani are considered very auspicious for marriage and most marriages occur during these months.

The fourth month Aadi is considered inauspicious, so weddings do not often fall in this month. Aadi is also the month of preparation for the next crop cycle by farmers. Therefore, farming communities avoid major events like weddings in this month. Those members of the Tamil community who don't actively contribute/participate in farming take advantage by having important functions like wedding in this month. For example, the business community prefers this month for weddings. Asdi is usually the worst month for business, although when businesses recently initiated Aadi discounts, this situation has changed significantly. Each Friday of this month is set aside for prayer and worship.

Aadi ia an inauspicious month for newlyweds to sleep together because a woman who conceives in this month will have a difficult delivery in May, the hottest month in Tamil Nadu (Agni natchathiram [pinezu] last 7 days of Chitharai and [munezu] first 7 days of Vaigasi).?)

Purattaasi is when most of the non-vegetarian Tamil people fast from meat for a month. This faith can be considered similar to fasts undertaken by Muslims during Ramadan. Each Saturday of this month is set apart to venerate the planet Saturn.

Deepavali, is celebrated on the new moon day, in the seventh month Aipassi. The month of Aipassi is usually characterised by the North-East Monsoon in Tamil Nadu, which has given birth to a phrase, Aipassi Adai Mazhai meaning the "Non-stop Downpour".

Maargazhi falls in winter in Tamil Nadu, and is considered auspicious for unmarried women to find a groom. The Shaivite fast of Tiru-vembaavai and the Vaishnava fast of Tiru-paavai are also observed in this month.

The total number of days in a Tamil Calendar is an average 365 days and the days of the week are named similarly to those of the western calendar. The Vakiya Panchangam is employed for both sacred and civil calculations. The Trikanitha Panchangam is employed for astrological calculations.

[edit] Festivals

The Tamil Calendar is so important to the life of Tamil-speaking people that most of the Festivals of Tamil Nadu are based on it. Some of Festivals include Tamil New Year or Puthandu in mid-April, Thai Pongal, Deepavali, Panguni Uthiram, Thirukaarthigai, Aadiperukku, Navaratri etc.

[edit] See also Candravakyas Puthandu

[edit] References1. ̂ Lines 160 to 162 of the Nedunalvaadai2. ̂ Poem 229 of Puranaanooru3. ̂ Professor Vaiyapuri Pillai, 'History of Tamil Language and Literature' Chennai, 1956 page

35, 1514. ̂ Canto 26 of Silappadikaaram. Canto 5 also describes the foremost festival in the Chola

country - the Indra Vizha celebrated in Chitterai5. ̂ G.H. Luce, Old Burma - Early Pagan, Locust Valley, New York, Page 68, and A.B.

Griswold, 'Towards a History of Sukhodaya Art, Bangkok 1967, pages 12-32

[edit] External links Tamil Calendar 2012 @ tamildailycalendar.in [1] @ Tamil Calendar for all past and future years (த�ிழ் நாள்காட்டி)

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