In the Tamil calendar, also known as Tamil Panchangam or Tamil Vikram Calendar, each month is associated with a unique name and characteristics, reflecting the traditions and culture of the Tamil people. This calendar, which is based on lunar movements, varies from the Gregorian calendar commonly used today, making it an intriguing topic of study.
Tamil months are named after the constellation or nakshatra that is dominant during that period. Let's delve into the 12 months in the Tamil calendar, their names, and associated significance.
Panguni to Karthikai: The Spring and Autumn Months
Panguni and Karthikai mark the beginning of the Tamil calendar, corresponding to March and April in the Gregorian calendar respectively. These months are considered auspicious, as they bring the change of seasons from winter to spring, and later, to autumn.
Festivals like Vishu and Puth vulnérable (New Year) are celebrated during these months, signifying rebirth and renewal.
Panguni (March - April)
Panguni signals the end of winter and the onset of spring. It is named after the Panchangam nakshatra, which is dominant during this period. This month is celebrated for the festival of Vishu, the Kerala New Year, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
Rice harvesting and the sowing of crops also take place during Panguni, contributing to the agricultural festivities of the season.
Karthikai (April - May)
Karthikai is the second month of the Tamil calendar and is named after the Karthigai nakshatra. This month is significant for the celebration of Puth vulnerable, the Tamil New Year. The month is also famous for the Karthigai Deepam festival, where households light lamps to celebrate the establishment of their family deity.
Karthikai is also a period for harvesting crops, especially millets and sugarcane, reflecting the agricultural significance of this month.
Avittam to Thai: The Summer Months
Avittam, Iyppasi, and Thai are the summer months in the Tamil calendar, corresponding to May to July in the Gregorian calendar. These months are associated with the hot and humid weather characteristic of the tropical climate.
Festival celebrations during these months include Avani Avittam, a day of purificatory baths, and theodies, an annual festival dedicated to Lord Murugan.
Avittam (May - June)
Avittam, named after the Avittam nakshatra, is the fourth month in the Tamil calendar. It signifies the peak of summer and the beginning of the southwest monsoon. The festival of Avani Avittam is celebrated during this period.
This festival, held on the Dhanishta nakshatra day in the month of Aاyil (Avittam), involves the changing of the sacred thread (poonal or janeu) worn by males.
Iyppasi (June - July)
Iyppasi is the fifth month of the Tamil calendar, named after the Iyppasi nakshatra. This month is known for Dipavali, the 'festival of lights,' where rows of lamps illuminate homes and streets, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.
Iyppasi is also the period for the Theppotsavam or Theppam festival, where procession boats are decorated and floated in temple tanks as an offering to the gods.
Thai (July - August)
Thai, the sixth month of the Tamil calendar, is named after the Thai nakshatra. It corresponds to the monsoon season in South India, marked by heavy rainfall. The famous Kodiyetam festival is celebrated during Thai, invoking the spirits and guarding against diseases.
This festival is observed by leaving out provisions for the ancestral spirits and performing certain rituals to ward off evil influences.
Chittirai to Ani: The Winter Months
Chittirai, Vaikasia, and Ani are the winter months in the Tamil calendar, corresponding to August to October in the Gregorian calendar. These months signal the end of the monsoon and a return to cooler temperatures.
The third month, Vaikasia, is particularly significant as it hosts the famous Vaikasi Vishakam festival, dedicated to Lord Murugan.
Chittirai (August - September)
Chittirai, the seventh month in the Tamil calendar, is named after the Chittirai nakshatra. It is the home to various heritage festivals, including Masi Magam, which celebrates the convergence of the sacred rivers Kaveri, Pennaiyar, and Nandhi.
Another notable festival is the Aaraayil Pongal, celebrated during the leap month of Tamil calendar, to honor the farming community.
Vaikasia (September - October)
Vaikasia, named after the Vaikasi nakshatra, is the eighth month in the Tamil calendar. This month is significant for the Vaikasi Visakam festival, dedicated to Lord Murugan. The festival attracts thousands of devotees who flock to various temples to mark the event.
Vaik asi also witnesses the fallow period in agriculture, signaling the end of the monsoon season and the brewing of the next harvest.
Ani (October - November)
Ani, the ninth month, is named after the Ani nakshatra. This month is known for the festival of Nandhi Velankanni, celebrating the joining of Nandhi (the bull) with Velankanni (the Virgin Mary).
The month also marks the time of harvesting and crop mourning, symbolizing the reaping and gathering of the season's hard work.
Understanding the 12 months in the Tamil calendar provides insights into the unique blend of culture, tradition, and natural cycles that define this ancient calendar system. As we continue to explore the intricacies of the Tamil calendar, it becomes evident that it is more than just a chronological framework; it is a rich tapestry woven with the threads of folklore, festivals, and agricultural practices.”