Tamil Month names and important festivals

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Tamil Month names and important festivals 

Tamil Month names and corresponding English Months

Shuklam baratharam Vishnum.......


Most of the youngsters in Tamil households do not know much about the various festivals being celebrated in their houses. I am sure many of them do not know the Tamil month names.

I am a little troubled by all this and hope to address this issue by writing a series of blogs on Tamil month names and the festivals celebrated in these months. What better day than the Tamil New year day to start this venture. I hope I am of some use .


It is a practice in Tamil Nadu, south india to start any new venture/thing with invocation to Vigneswara. So here I go with obeisance to the elephant GOD.

Vakratunda mahaakaaya
suuryakoTi samaprabha
nirvighnam kuruu me deva
sarva karyeshu sarvadaa

Meaning: Oh Lord with the twisted trunk and massive appearance,
                 whose splendor is equal to that of a billion Suns ...
                 Please bless me such that I do not face any obstacles in any
                 of my endeavors anytime

I am starting this ambitious effort with the aim to educate our younger generation about Tamil Month names, the important festivals celebrated in each month and the reason and meanings behind the festive celebrations. I would like a feedback from those who read this so that I can improve my writing (negative and positive feedbacks- both welcome).

 Normally the Tamil month begins in the middle of the English month (Chittirai starts in the Middle of April and goes on upto the middle of May)

 The twelve months and the corresponding English months are as follows:

 1)   Chittirai                                                    Mid April to Mid  May

 2)   Vaikashi                                                   Mid May to  Mid June

 3)   Aani                                                         Mid June to Mid  July

 4)   Aadi                                                         Mid July to Mid August 

5)   Aavani                                                     Mid August to Mid  September

 6)   Purattasi                                                  Mid September  to Mid  October   

 7)   Aippashi                                                  Mid October  to Mid  November

 8)   Karthigai                                                 Mid November  to Mid  December

 9)   Markazhi                                                 Mid December  to Mid  January

 10)  Thai                                                        Mid January  to Mid  February

 11)  Maashi                                                    Mid February to  Mid March

 12)  Panguni                                                   Mid March  to Mid April      
Now that we have established the basics of understanding the Tamil months let us get on with the festivals in each month in the next series of blogs.
                                                                                                                                       Read on......


Location: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Comments

Sneha Iyer said…
Good Job Mama.. I know the Tamil month names and their corresponding English month names by heart.
12 months are somewhat easy to remember. What I find to be difficult is the order and the names of the 26 Nakshatrams from Ashwathi (Ashwini) to Revathy. And which falls in which Rashi.. After these "Months and Festivals Series" please base your next blog posts on Nakshatrams and Rashis :)

PS: Eagerly Awaiting the next post
11:18 PM
venky''s random thoughts said…
Thanks Sneha. I am honoured by the first comments on my blog. I am relieved that there is at least one reader.

First of all let me correct you. There are 27 stars and not 26 as mentioned by you. I have today sent you a link on the stars and how to identify the rasis connected to the stars.

Let me finish this task of Tamil months before we talk of writing further series on stars.

Thanks once again for the comments.
9:01 PM
Ashnfire said…
This is a brilliant start and I'm hoping to read these blogs regularly and update you on how extensively I have been empowered with the knowledge bestowed by you. Thank you so much Periappa.
12:55 PM
venky''s random thoughts said…
Hi Ashwini,

I am deeply moved by the comments received and the encouragement I have received for the blogs. I will continue to write more blogs and hope to fulfil your quest for more.
10:50 AM
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