Jump to content

Tamil calendar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Karthikai)

"Thai month" redirects here. For months in the Thai calendar, see Thai solar calendar and Thai lunar calendar.
The months of the Tamil calendar

The Tamil calendar is a sidereal solar calendar used by the Tamil people.[1][2] It is used in the Indian subcontinent, and other countries with significant Tamil population like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar and Mauritius. It is used in contemporary times for cultural, religious and agricultural events, with the Gregorian calendar largely used for official purposes.[3]

History

[edit]

There are several references to the calendar in early Tamil literature. Nakkeerar, the Sangam period author of the Neṭunalvāṭai, wrote in the third century CE that the Sun travels each year from Mesha/Chittirai in mid-April through 11 successive signs of the zodiac.[4] The same is referenced to by Kūdalūr Kiḻar in Puṟanāṉūṟu.[5][6] Tolkappiyam, the oldest surviving Tamil grammar text, divides the year into six seasons and Chittirai marks the start of the "ilavenil" (summer) season.[7] The fifth century CE treatise of Cilappatikaram mentions the 12 rāśis (zodiac signs) that correspond to the Tamil months.[8] The sixth century epic Manimekalai alludes to this to thhe Hindu solar calendar.[9]

Inscriptional evidences from Pagan in Myanmar from the 11th century CE and in Sukhothai in Thailand from the 14th century CE point to South Indian courtiers being tasked with defining the traditional calendar that followed a similar cycle.[10][11]

Description

[edit]

The Tamil calendar is based on the Hindu system of calendrics that was used to calculate date and time.[12] The Tirukkanida Panchanga derived from astronomical data is used as a basis for the same.[13] The calendar is similar to traditional calendars followed in other parts of the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.[14]

The Tamil calendar follows a 60-year cycle similar to the other traditional calendars of India.[15] The Tamil New Year follows the Nirayana system, and usually falls on 13 or 14 April in the Gregorian year.[16] The new year starts on the date arrived by adding the days corresponding to the 23 degrees of trepidation (oscillation) to the vernal equinox, when the Sun begins its transition as per the Hindu sidereal calendar.[17][page needed] A Tamil calendar year might consist of 365 or 366 days in a year.[18]

Sixty-year cycle

[edit]
Further information: Samvatsara

The 60-year cycle is common to Hindu traditional calendars, with similar names and sequence of years. The earliest reference of the same is in Surya Siddhanta, dated between 4th and 9th century CE. There are parallels to the sexagenary cycle used in the Chinese calendar,[19][20][21] though which influenced the other has been subject to debate.[22]

After the completion of a cycle of sixty years, the calendar re-starts with the first year of a new cycle.[23] As per the Hindu Panchangam, it represents the year in which Shani Saturn (which takes 30 years to complete one cycle round the Sun) and Vyalan (Jupiter) (which takes 12 years to complete one cycle round the Sun) come to a same position after 60 years.[24][25]

The following list presents the current 60-year cycle of the Tamil calendar:[26]

No. Name Transliteration Gregorian Year No. Name Transliteration Gregorian Year
01. பிரபவ Prabhāva 1987–1988 31. ஹேவிளம்பி Hēvilaṃbi 2017–2018
02. விபவ Vibhāva 1988–1989 32. விளம்பி Vilaṃbi 2018–2019
03. சுக்ல Śuklā 1989–1990 33. விகாரி Vikāri 2019–2020
04. பிரமோதூத Pramadutā 1990–1991 34. சார்வரி Śarvarī 2020–2021
05. பிரசோற்பத்தி Prachopati 1991–1992 35. பிலவ Plava 2021–2022
06. ஆங்கீரச Āṅgirasa 1992–1993 36. சுபகிருது Śubhakṛt 2022–2023
07. ஸ்ரீமுக Śrīmukha 1993–1994 37. சோபக்ருத் Śobhakṛt 2023–2024
08. பவ Bhava 1994–1995 38. க்ரோதி Krodhī 2024–2025
09. யுவ Yuva 1995–1996 39. விசுவாசுவ Viśvāvasuva 2025–2026
10. தாது Dhātu 1996–1997 40. பரபாவ Parapāva 2026–2027
11. ஈஸ்வர Īśvara 1997–1998 41. ப்லவங்க Plavaṅga 2027–2028
12. வெகுதானிய Vehudānya 1998–1999 42. கீலக Kīlaka 2028–2029
13. பிரமாதி Pramāti 1999–2000 43. சௌம்ய Saumya 2029–2030
14. விக்ரம Vikrama 2000–2001 44. சாதாரண Sādhāraṇa 2030–2031
15. விஷு Viṣu 2001–2002 45. விரோதகிருது Virodhikṛti 2031–2032
16. சித்திரபானு Citrabhānu 2002–2003 46. பரிதாபி Paritapi 2032–2033
17. சுபானு Subhānu 2003–2004 47. பிரமாதீச Pramādīca 2033–2034
18. தாரண Dhārana 2004–2005 48. ஆனந்த Ānanda 2034–2035
19. பார்த்திப Partibhā 2005–2006 49. ராட்சச Rākṣasaḥ 2035–2036
20. விய Viya 2006–2007 50. நள Nala 2036–2037
21. சர்வஜித் Sarvajit 2007–2008 51. பிங்கள Piṅgāla 2037–2038
22. சர்வதாரி Sarvadhārī 2008–2009 52. காளயுக்தி Kālayukti 2038–2039
23. விரோதி Virodhī 2009–2010 53. சித்தார்த்தி Siddhidātrī 2039–2040
24. விக்ருதி Vikṛti 2010–2011 54. ரௌத்திரி Rautrī 2040–2041
25. கர Kara 2011–2012 55. துன்மதி Dhūnmatī 2041–2042
26. நந்தன Nandhana 2012–2013 56. துந்துபி Dundubhi 2042–2043
27. விஜய Vijaya 2013–2014 57. ருத்ரோத்காரி Rudhirōtgāri 2043–2044
28. ஜய Jaya 2014–2015 58. ரக்தாட்சி Rākṣasī 2044–2045
29. மன்மத Manmatha 2015–2016 59. க்ரோதன Krodhanā 2045–2046
30. துன்முகி Dhuṇmūkī 2016–2017 60. அட்சய Akṣayā 2046–2047

Months

[edit]

There are twelve months in the Tamil calendar, with 29 to 32 days per month.[27] Tamil months start and end based on the Sun's shift from one rasi to the other, and the names of the months are based on the nakshatra (star) that coincides with the start of the pournami (full moon) in that month.[28] The Tamil calendar month starts a few days after the corresponding Hindu calendar month as the Tamil calendar is a solar calendar, while the other is a lunisolar calendar.[29]

Month (in Tamil) English transliteration Hindu Lunar calendar Nakshatra Gregorian calendar Days
சித்திரை Chittirai Chaitra Chittirai April–May 30–31
வைகாசி Vaikāsi Vaisakha Visakam May–June 31–32
ஆனி Āni Jyestha Anusham June–July 31–32
ஆடி Ādi Asadha Pooradam or Uthiradam July–August 31–32
ஆவணி Āvaṇi Shravana Thiruvonam August–September 31–32
புரட்டாசி Puraṭṭāsi Bhadrapada Pooratathi or Uthiratathi September–October 30–31
ஐப்பசி Aippasi Asvina Ashvini October–November 29–30
கார்த்திகை Kārtikai Kartika Kartikai November–December 29–30
மார்கழி Mārgaḻi Margashirsha Mirgashirsham December–January 29–30
தை Tai Pausha Pusham January–February 29–30
மாசி Māsi Magha Magham February–March 29–30
பங்குனி Panguni Phalguna Uttiram March–April 30–31

Seasons

[edit]

A Tamil year is divided into six seasons, each of which lasts two months.[30][31]

Season (in Tamil) English transliteration English translation Hindu calendar Common season Tamil month(s) Gregorian month(s)
இளவேனில் Ila-venil Light warmth Vasanta Spring Chittirai, Vaikāsi April–June
முதுவேனில் Mudhu-venil Harsh warmth Grishma Summer Āni, Ādi June–August
கார் Kār Dark clouds Varsha Monsoon Āvaṇi, Puraṭṭāsi August–October
குளிர் Kulir Cold Sharda Autumn Aippasi, Kārtikai October–December
முன்பனி Mun-pani Early mist Hemanta Winter Mārgaḻi, Thai December–February
பின்பனி Pin-pani Late mist Shishira Pre-vernal Māsi, Panguni February–April

Days of a week

[edit]

The days of week (Kiḻamai) in the Tamil calendar relate to the celestial bodies in the Solar System: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, in that order. A week usually starts with Sunday, and ends in a Saturday.[32][33]

Day (in Tamil) English transliteration Shaka Calendar Deity Celestial body Gregorian Calendar
ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை Nyayitru-kiḻamai Ravivāra Surya Sun Sunday
திங்கட்கிழமை Tingat-kiḻamai Somavāra Chandra Moon Monday
செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை Chevvai-kiḻamai Mangalavāra Mangala Mars Tuesday
புதன்கிழமை Budhan-kiḻamai Budhavāra Budha Mercury Wednesday
வியாழக்கிழமை Vyaḻa-kiḻamai Guruvāra Brihaspati Jupiter Thursday
வெள்ளிக்கிழமை Velli-kiḻamai Śukravāra Shukra Venus Friday
சனிக்கிழமை Sani-kiḻamai Śanivāra Shani Saturn Saturday

Significance

[edit]

The various days and months of the Tamil Calendar are of specific significance to Tamil Hindus. The Vakiya Panchangam is employed for calculation of sacred days, while the Tirugaṇita Panchangam is employed for astrological calculations.[34]

The months and their significant events and festivals are listed below.[29][35]

Month Events/festivals
Chittirai Chitra Pournami, Meenakshi Tirukalyanam, Puthandu
Vaikāsi Vaikasi Visakam
Aani Aani Thirumanjanam, Mangani
Āadi Chevvai (Tuesdays) and Velli (Fridays) dedicated to Mariamman; Aadi Amavasai, Aadi Perukku, Pooram
Āvaṇi Avani Avittam, Gokulashtami, Vinayakar Chaturti
Puratāsi Shani (Saturdays) dedicated to Vishnu; Navarathri
Aippasi Deepavali
Kārtikai Thingal (Mondays) dedicated to Shiva; Karthigai Deepam, Karthigai Pournami
Margaḻi Hanuman Jayanti, Thiruvathirai, Vaikuntha Ekadasi[36]
Thai Pongal, Thaipusam
Māsi Maha Shivaratri, Masi Maham, Poochoriyal
Panguni Panguni Uthiram, Rama Navami

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ S.K. Chatterjee, Indian Calendric System, Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1998
  2. ^ Sewell, Robert and Dikshit, Sankara B.: The Indian Calendar – with tables for the conversion of Hindu and Muhammadan into a.d. dates, and vice versa. Motilal Banarsidass Publ., Delhi, India (1995). Originally published in 1896
  3. ^ Indian Epigraphy, D.C. Sircar, TamilNet, Tamil New Year, 13 April 2008
  4. ^ JV Chelliah (1985). "Neṭunalvāṭai (lines 160 to 162)". Pattupattu: Ten Tamil Idylls. Tamil Verses with English Translation. Thanjavur: Tamil University.
  5. ^ "Poem 229". The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom: An Anthology of Poems from Classical Tamil, The Purananuru. Columbia University Press. 13 August 2013.
  6. ^ Vaiyapuri Pillai (1956). History of Tamil Language and Literature. Chennai. pp. 35, 151.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. ^ R.P.C Pavanantam Pillai, ed. (1917). Tolkappiyam Porulatikaram, Peraciriyam. Longmans, Creen and Co.
  8. ^ R. Parthasarathy. The Tale of an Anklet: An Epic of South India: The Cilappatikāram of Iḷaṅko Aṭikaḷ. New York city: Columbia University Press. Canto 26. Canto 5 also describes the foremost festival in the Chola country – the Indra Vizha celebrated in Chitterai
  9. ^ Lakshmi Holmstrom (1996). Silappadikaram, Manimekalai. Madras: Orient Longman.
  10. ^ G.H. Luce. Old Burma – Early Pagan. Locust Valley, New York. p. 68.
  11. ^ A.B. Griswold (1967). Towards a History of Sukhodaya Art. Bangkok. pp. 12–32.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ^ Wijk, Walther E. van (1922–1927). On Hindu Chronology, parts I–V. Acta Orientalia.
  13. ^ H.P. Blavatsky (1888). The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion and Philosophy. Theosophical University Press. pp. 49–51.
  14. ^ Underhill, Muriel M. (1921). The Hindu Religious Year. Kolkata: Association Press.
  15. ^ "The Tamil Calendar – 60-Year Cycle". Time and Date. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  16. ^ "Tamil Calendar". Speaking Tree. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  17. ^ Dershowitz, Nachum and Reingold, Edward M. (2008). Calendrical Calculations (third ed.). Cambridge University Press.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "South-Indian Chronological Tables (1889)" (PDF). Tamil Digital Library. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  19. ^ Samuel Wells Williams (2005). The Middle Kingdom. New York city: Columbia University Press. pp. 69–70.
  20. ^ Paul Kekai Manansala (2006). Quests of the Dragon and Bird Clan. p. 236.
  21. ^ Terrien de Lacouperie (1894). Western Origin of the Early Chinese Civilization: From 2,300 BC to 20 AD. London: Asher and Co. p. 78.
  22. ^ George Gheverghese Joseph (2011). Crest of the Peacock: Non-European Roots of Mathematics. Princeton University Press. pp. 304–305.
  23. ^ "Indian Calendar Part 3 – The Panchangam". Anaadi Foundation. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  24. ^ "Samvatsara – The Name of the Hindu Year". The Divine India. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  25. ^ "Samvatsara". CulKey Foundation. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  26. ^ Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1997). Vedic calendar: Kadavul Hindu Panchangam. Kapaa, Hawaii: Himalayan Academy. pp. 5–6, 10.
  27. ^ "Tamil Months Calendar with names in Sanskrit, Malayalam & English". Hindu Devotional Blog. May 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  28. ^ "Cultural Chronicles in Calendar". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 October 2025. On the full moon day … the nakshatra (star) that is regarded–be ascendant … hence the month is named
  29. ^ a b Kielhorn, Franz (1897). "Festal Days of the Hindu Lunar Calendar". The Indian Antiquary. XXVI: 177–187.
  30. ^ "Six Seasons: Same for South & North Indians". Tamil & Vedas. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  31. ^ "Tamil Calendar – Seasons". SpeakingTree. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  32. ^ "Tamil Calendar – Days of the Week". Time and Date. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  33. ^ "Who Named the Days of the Week?". Tamil and Vedas. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  34. ^ "Hindu Almanacs: Sentential and Mathematical in Sri Lanka" (PDF). Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 9 (2). December 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  35. ^ Underhill, Muriel M. (1921). The Hindu Religious Year. Kolkata: Association Press.
  36. ^ Achuthananda, Swami (27 August 2018). The Ascent of Vishnu and the Fall of Brahma. Relianz Communications Pty Ltd. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-9757883-3-2.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tamil_calendar&oldid=1320005244#Months"