Tamil Calendar 2026
12 Tamil months overlap 2026, computed for Chennai, India. The Tamil month is solar: a new month begins when the Sun enters the next zodiac sign (sankranti). Month names map one-to-one to the signs, from Chithirai (Mesha) to Panguni (Meena).
Dates are computed for Chennai, India (Udaya Tithi, Smarta convention; Pradosh dated by sunset, Sankashti by moonrise). See about for the full method and the Vaishnava difference on kshaya dates.
| Tamil month | Begins | Festivals and vrats |
|---|---|---|
| Thai | Makara | Vasanta Panchami / Saraswati Puja; Pradosh Vrat; Amavasya; Jaya; Pradosh Vrat; Purnima … |
| Masi | Kumbha | Maha Shivaratri; Holika Dahan; Holi (Dhulandi / Dolyatra); Vijaya; Pradosh Vrat; Amavasya … |
| Panguni | Mina | Chaitra Navratri begins; Gudi Padwa / Ugadi (Hindu New Year); Rama Navami; Papamochani; Pradosh Vrat; Amavasya … |
| Chithirai | Mesha | Akshaya Tritiya; Buddha Purnima; Pradosh Vrat; Amavasya; Mohini; Pradosh Vrat … |
| Vaikasi | Vrishabha | Amavasya; Padmini; Pradosh Vrat; Purnima; Sankashti Chaturthi; Parama … |
| Aani | Mithuna | Rathayatra; Nirjala; Pradosh Vrat; Purnima; Sankashti Chaturthi; Yogini (kshaya) … |
| Aadi | Karkata | Guru Purnima; Devshayani; Pradosh Vrat; Purnima; Sankashti Chaturthi; Kamika … |
| Aavani | Simha | Raksha Bandhan; Janmashtami (Smarta); Gokulashtami (Nandotsava); Putrada; Pradosh Vrat; Purnima … |
| Purattasi | Kanya | Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarvapitri Amavasya); Sharad Navratri begins (Durga Puja); Durga Puja (Mahasaptami); Parsva; Pradosh Vrat; Purnima … |
| Aippasi | Tula | Durga Puja (Mahashtami); Durga Puja (Mahanavami) / Ayudha Puja; Vijaya Dasami / Dussehra; Karwa Chauth; Diwali (Deepavali) / Lakshmi Puja; Chhath Puja … |
| Karthigai | Vrischika | Prabodhini; Pradosh Vrat; Purnima; Sankashti Chaturthi; Utpanna; Pradosh Vrat … |
| Margazhi | Dhanus | Makara Sankranti / Pongal; Pradosh Vrat; Purnima; Sankashti Chaturthi; Shattila; Mokshada … |
Other years
Tamil Calendar 2026 Tamil Calendar 2027
Related
Frequently asked questions
- What month system does the Tamil calendar use?
- The Tamil month is solar: a new month begins when the Sun enters the next zodiac sign (sankranti). Month names map one-to-one to the signs, from Chithirai (Mesha) to Panguni (Meena).
- Why do month start dates shift each year?
- Lunar months track the Moon (about 29.5 days) and solar months track the Sun’s entry into each sign; neither matches the Gregorian calendar exactly, so start dates move by a day or two from year to year.