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Tamil New Year Calendar |
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According to the Tamil calendar, the New Year is observed either on 13th or 14th of April of the Gregorian calendar. The calendar has twelve months in total with each month having 29 to 31 days and is divided in six seasons.
The year begins on the month of Cittirai, which also declares the beginning of the summer season and thus the harvest cycle in the region. The months of the calendar are:
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| The months of the Tamil calendar: |
| No. |
Months in Tamil |
Month (Start-End) |
| 01. |
Cittirai |
Mid-April to mid-May |
| 02. |
Vaikaci |
Mid-May to mid-June |
| 03. |
Ani |
Mid-June to mid-July |
| 04. |
Ati |
Mid-July to mid-August |
| 05. |
Avaoi |
Mid-August to mid-September |
| 06. |
Purattaci |
Mid-September to mid-October |
| 07. |
Aippaci |
Mid-October to mid-November |
| 08. |
Karttikai |
Mid-November to mid-December |
| 09. |
Markazhi |
Mid-December to mid-January |
| 10. |
Tai |
Mid-January to mid-February |
| 11. |
Maci |
mid-February to mid-March |
| 12. |
Paokuni |
mid-March to mid-April |
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The days of the week also have Tamilian names which are the following:
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| The Days of the Tamil Calendar: |
| No. |
Tamilian Days Names |
Days |
| 01. |
Gnaayitru-kizhamai |
Sunday |
| 02. |
Thingat-kizhamai |
Monday |
| 03. |
Sevvaai-kizhamai |
Tuesday |
| 04. |
Buthan-kizhamai |
Wednesday |
| 05. |
Viyaazha-kizhamai |
Thursday |
| 06. |
Velli-kizhamai |
Friday |
| 07. |
Sani-kizhamai |
Saturday |
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The Tamil New Year calendar plays a very important role in the daily lives of the Tamil people. The Tamil calendar is used in determining dates of administrative, social as well as the religious events. It is used in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as well as in Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore and Sri Lanka where a lot of Tamilians reside.
The Tamil calendar is a solar and sidereal Hindu calendar that takes into account the movements of both the sun and the other celestial bodies. As a result, the calculation is a complex one and requires special skills for determining auspicious days and moments. |
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The calendar also coincides with the solar calendar used in the other parts of India.
The Tamil calendar is calculated on a sixty years cycle based on the 60 years orbit of Nakshatras as described in Surya Siddhanta, the book written by Varahamihir on Indian astrology.
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The 60 years cycle of the Hindu calendar, which is still largely in use both in north and south India was calculated by Varahamihir in 550 CE and was regarded as the most accurate one at that time. After every 60 years the calendar starts anew with the first year. This 60 years cycle of calendar was also followed by the ancient Chinese.
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Tamil Panchangam
The Panchangam is the Indian calendar based on Vedic astrology. It is used by the Tamils to determine the right days for marriage, religious events and for starting new ventures. It makes the forecasts for the year and hence, listening to Panchangam on the day of Tamil New Year is considered to be an important event. Birth Panchangam is important in calculating the horoscope of people and for determining their future.
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| The days of the week in Tamil calendar: |
| No. |
Weekday (English) |
Vaasara (Sanskrit) |
Lord or Planet |
Gregorian Calendar equivalent |
| 01. |
Jnyaayitru-kizhamai |
Ravi-vaasara |
Sun |
Sunday |
| 02. |
Thingat-kizhamai |
Soma-vaasara |
Moon |
Monday |
| 03. |
Sevvaai-kizhamai |
Mangala-vaasara |
Mars |
Tuesday |
| 04. |
Buthan-kizhamai |
Budha-vaasara |
Mercury |
Wednesday |
| 05. |
Viyaazha-kizhamai |
Guru Vaasara |
Jupiter |
Thursday |
| 06. |
Velli-kizhamai |
Sukra-vaasara |
Venus |
Friday |
| 07. |
Sani-kizhamai |
Shani-vaasara |
Saturn |
Saturday |
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For Tamilians, everyday starts off with the sun set. |
