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:
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 |
The days of the week also have Tamilian names which are the following:
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 |
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.
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 |
For Tamilians, everyday starts off with the sun set.