India’s timezone & time reference

Tamil Calendar

தமிழ்

Tamil Script Solar Calendar (Saura Mana)

The Tamil calendar is a solar calendar that tracks the sun's position through zodiac constellations. Each month is approximately 30–31 days, starting with Chithirai (around April 14) and ending with Phalguna. Unlike lunar calendars, the Tamil calendar maintains fixed month start dates aligned with the solar year, making it ideal for agricultural and harvest planning. The Tamil New Year (Puthandu) on Chithirai 1 is celebrated with Pongal traditions, temple visits, and family gatherings across Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and diaspora communities worldwide.

Key Festivals Across the Year

Tamil New Year (Chithirai)Vaigasi Visakam (Murugan pilgrimage)Aadi Perukku (monsoon gratitude)Purattasi Navaratri (Vishnu devotion)Iyppasi Deepavali (Lakshmi prosperity)Kartikai Deepam (temple celebrations)Margazhi Thai (Lakshmi focus)Thai Pongal (Makar Sankranti, harvest)Magha Kumbha Mela (divine convergence)Phalguna Holi (spring festival)

All 12 Months

1

Chithirai

Aries

Festivals:

  • Tamil New Year
  • Baisakhi
→
2

Vaigasi

Taurus

Festivals:

  • Vaigasi Visakam
  • Aani Thirumanjanam
→
3

Aani

Gemini

Festivals:

  • Aani Thirumanjanam
  • Bhagirath Jayanti
→
4

Aadi

Cancer

Festivals:

  • Aadi Perukku
  • Aadi Ammavasai
→
5

Aavani

Leo

Festivals:

  • Aavani Avittam
  • Aavani Moola
→
6

Purattasi

Virgo

Festivals:

  • Purattasi Pournami
  • Mahalaya Amavasai
→
7

Iyppasi

Libra

Festivals:

  • Deepavali
  • Karva Chauth
→
8

Kartikai

Scorpio

Festivals:

  • Kartikai Deepam
  • Guru Nanak Jayanti
→
9

Margazhi

Sagittarius

Festivals:

  • Margazhi Amavasai
  • Makar Sankranti
→
10

Thai

Capricorn

Festivals:

  • Makar Sankranti / Pongal
  • Thai Pournami
→
11

Masi

Aquarius

Festivals:

  • Mahasivaratri
  • Masi Magam
→
12

Panguni

Pisces

Festivals:

  • Panguni Uthram
  • Rameswaram Thaipongal
→

About the Tamil Calendar

Solar System

The Tamil calendar is one of the few solar calendars from India. It divides the year based on the sun's position through zodiac constellations (rasi), with each month spanning approximately 30–31 days. This makes it remarkably accurate for agricultural planning and harvest prediction.

Historical Continuity

Known as Saura Mana (solar measurement), it has been used by Tamilians for thousands of years. The calendar is deeply embedded in South Indian agricultural practices and temple rituals, with references in ancient Tamil literature (Sangam texts).

Diaspora Coordination

Tamil diaspora communities globally use this calendar to coordinate temple festivals, family rituals, and spiritual practices across time zones. Key dates like Pongal and Tamil New Year are celebrated worldwide, synchronizing families in India, Singapore, Malaysia, USA, UK, and Australia.

Cultural Identity

The Tamil calendar is more than a timekeeping system; it's a cultural marker for Tamil identity. Learning month names, festivals, and traditions helps diaspora youth connect to their heritage and participate in global Tamil network celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Tamil calendar different from other Indian calendars?
The Tamil calendar is solar, dividing the year by the sun's position in zodiac constellations. Most other Indian regional calendars (Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Gujarati, Rajasthani) are lunar, based on moon phases. This makes Tamil months have fixed date ranges, ideal for agriculture.
Why does Tamil New Year start on April 14?
This date corresponds to the Sun's entry into Aries (Mesha Rasi), which marks the beginning of spring in the Tamil solar system. April 14 is the astronomical date when this occurs, calculated from ancient observations. It remains constant every year.
How do diaspora families celebrate Tamil calendar festivals?
Diaspora celebrations often combine physical and virtual participation: temple visits for Pongal and Deepavali, online pujas coordinated with India-based priests during auspicious days, and family video calls during key festivals. The IST time zone is crucial for determining exact ritual timings.
Is Pongal the same as Makar Sankranti?
Both festivals celebrate the same solar event—Sun entering Capricorn (Makara Rasi)—but are celebrated differently across regions. In Tamil culture, Pongal (Thai month) is the primary celebration. In Hindi/Marathi regions, Makar Sankranti marks the same occasion. The Tamil date (Thai 1 = ~January 14) aligns with the solar transition.
Can I convert Tamil dates to Gregorian dates?
Yes! Each Tamil month has an approximate Gregorian date range (shown on each month page). For example, Chithirai is approximately April 14–May 14. However, festival dates within a month may vary slightly based on lunar phase calculations in combined solar-lunar observances. Use the detailed month pages for precise festival timings.

View Same Months in Other Languages

Explore how other Indian regions celebrate the same festivals in their own calendar traditions.

Telugu Calendar Lunar tradition, 12 months Hindi (Vikram Samvat) Lunar tradition, 12 months Kannada Calendar Lunar tradition, 12 months Gujarati Calendar Lunar tradition, 12 months Rajasthani Calendar Lunar tradition, 12 months