What Day Is Today Tamil Calendar
As someone who has grown up in a Tamil household, I’ve always been fascinated by the Tamil calendar. It’s a system that has been in use for centuries, and it’s still used today to determine auspicious dates for weddings, religious festivals, and other important events. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the Tamil calendar and explore its significance in Tamil culture.
What Is the Tamil Calendar?
The Tamil calendar is a traditional calendar used in Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, as well as in Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It is a lunisolar calendar, which means that it takes into account both the phases of the moon and the solar year. The calendar consists of 12 months, each named after a star or a constellation, and each month is divided into two fortnights, or pakshas.
What Are the Months in the Tamil Calendar?
Here are the 12 months in the Tamil calendar:
- Chithirai
- Vaikasi
- Aani
- Aadi
- Aavani
- Purattasi
- Aippasi
- Karthigai
- Maargazhi
- Thai
- Maasi
- Panguni
What Are Some Important Events and Festivals in the Tamil Calendar?
The Tamil calendar is filled with important events and festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. Here are just a few:
- Pongal: A harvest festival that falls in the month of Thai (January-February).
- Tamil New Year: Celebrated on the first day of Chithirai (April-May).
- Deepavali: The festival of lights, celebrated in the month of Aippasi (October-November).
- Navaratri: A nine-day festival dedicated to the goddess Durga, celebrated in the month of Purattasi (September-October).
- Thiruvathirai: Celebrated in the month of Maargazhi (December-January), this festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
How Are These Festivals Celebrated?
Each festival has its own unique traditions and rituals. For example, during Pongal, people cook a special sweet rice dish in pots decorated with turmeric and sugarcane. During Deepavali, people light oil lamps and decorate their homes with rangoli patterns. During Thiruvathirai, people fast during the day and offer special prayers to Lord Shiva.
Question and Answer
Q: How do I determine auspicious dates using the Tamil calendar?
A: You can consult a Tamil calendar or an astrologer to determine auspicious dates for weddings, housewarmings, and other important events. Auspicious dates are determined based on the positions of the planets and the stars.
Q: How is the Tamil calendar different from the Gregorian calendar?
A: The Tamil calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which means that it takes into account both the phases of the moon and the solar year. The Gregorian calendar, on the other hand, is a solar calendar that is based solely on the position of the sun. Additionally, the Tamil calendar has its own set of months and festivals that are unique to Tamil culture.
Q: Is the Tamil calendar still used today?
A: Yes, the Tamil calendar is still widely used in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. It is an integral part of Tamil culture and is used to determine auspicious dates for weddings, religious festivals, and other important events.
FAQs
Q: When is Tamil New Year?
A: Tamil New Year is celebrated on the first day of Chithirai, which falls in April or May.
Q: How many days are in a Tamil month?
A: Each Tamil month is divided into two fortnights, or pakshas, which are each approximately 15 days long.
Q: What is the significance of the stars and constellations in the Tamil calendar?
A: Each month in the Tamil calendar is named after a star or a constellation, which is believed to have an influence on the events that occur during that month. For example, the month of Maargazhi is named after the star Mrigashirsha, which is associated with growth and prosperity.
Q: How do I convert Tamil dates to Gregorian dates?
A: There are several online converters that can help you convert Tamil dates to Gregorian dates. Simply enter the Tamil date and the converter will give you the corresponding Gregorian date.
Overall, the Tamil calendar is a fascinating system that has been in use for centuries. It is an important part of Tamil culture and is still used today to determine auspicious dates for weddings, religious festivals, and other important events. Whether you’re Tamil or just curious about Tamil culture, I hope this article has given you a deeper appreciation for the Tamil calendar and its significance.