Venkat's Random Thoughts

 Thai (Tenth Month) The Festivals in Thai Thai month is the 10th month in a traditional calendar followed in Tamil Nadu. Thai Month in 2018 begins on January 14 and ends on February 12. The most auspicious days and festivals in the month include – Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kaanum, Thai Ammavasi and Thaipusam. Thai is the most important Tamil solar month which brings joy, celebrations and weddings in the Tamil families which has a brief History. This month begins with Pongal for the first three days of the Tamil Solar month and continues with full of divine  festivals like Thai Krithigai (Lord Karthikeya), Poosam lunar star which falls on full moon day and called as Thai Poosam which is significant for Lord Karthikeya. Thai Pongal or Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by Tamil people at the end of the harvest season. Pongal is a four day festival which usually takes place from January 13 to 16 in the Gregorian calendar i.e...

Marg azhi (Ninth Month) The Festivals in Margazhi The Tamil month Margazhi, (mid December to mid January) being an auspicious month for the Tamil Hindus and others, is a time of festivals, devotion (Bhakti) and music.It is a spiritual engagement for the devout Hindus. The Tamil calendar based on the classical ''Hindu solar calendar'' as used in many Indian states and SE Asian countries, starts from mid December - at this time of the year, it is the coolest season because the northern portion of the planet is facing away from the sun because of inclination of the central axis.  Sri Villiputtur Aandal Temple There are many festivals associated with Tamil months according to theHindu Tamil calendar. The Tamil New Year normally follows the'Nirayanam vernal equinox' ( 'The March equinox or Northward equinox is the equinox on the earth when the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator, heading northward. The March equinox is the verna...

Karthigai (Eighth Month) The Festivals in  Karthigai Karthigai Masam, or Karthika month, is the eighth month in a traditional Tamil calendar and it derives its name from the Nakshatram, or star, ‘Krithiga.’ Tamil Month Karthigai in 2017 begins on November 17 and ends on December 15. The Mondays in the month are dedicated to Lord Shiva andKarthigai Somavara Vratham is observed. Another important ritual in the month is the Karthikai Deepam. Ayyappa devotees start the 41-day Ayyappa Deeksha Vratam and take a pilgrimage to Sabarimala in this month. Karthikai Masam is also famous for the row of lights that are lit in the month. Houses and streets are decorated on the Karthigai star day in the month with lamps and it is known as Karthigai Deepam . It is believed that Lord Shiva gave darshan to Lord Vishnu and Brahma in the form of a pillar of fire with no ends on this day. This form is also referred as Annamalai Deepam in Tamil and is observed at Thiru...