Tamil Months is a term used to describe a period of time in the
Hindu Tamil Lunar Calendar.
Despite the fact that the lunar calendar is by far the most
essential tool for defining the Hindu holy calendar, these lunar months are
also based on a solar calendar.
The latter is used to calculate the intercalary month, which
aids in keeping the lunar and solar calendars in approximate alignment.
The months of the solar calendar in northern India
correspond to the zodiac, with each month called after the sign into which the
sun is reckoned to enter at the start of that month.
The solar calendar divisions in southern India are identical
to those in the north, although the twelve months are given distinct names.
The Tamil months are named after some of the nakshatras, or
lunar zodiac features, or after variations of the lunar months.
The Tamil year starts with the month of Chittirai, which
corresponds to the northern Indian solar month of Mesha (Aries), which occurs
between April and May according to Indian estimates.
Vaikasi, Ani, Adi, Avani, Purattasi, Aippasi, Kartigai,
Margali, Tai, Masi, and Panguni are the eleven months that follow Chittirai.
Such a wide range of calendars demonstrates the relevance of
regional cultural traditions.
Because Tamil is one of the few regional languages with an
old, well-established literary history, this regional culture is particularly
prominent in the Tamil cultural area.
