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Tamil Calendar 2019: Dates of Festivals

The calendar followed in Tamil Nadu is known as the Tamil Calendar. This is one of the oldest calendars followed and it encompasses the period since the appearance of the human race.

In a diverse country like India, there are a number of variations in festivities and rituals. Tamil Calendar is one such tributary of the Indian Hindu Calendar, which has its own importance in its respective area. The Tamil Calendar contains all the important events and occasions that are celebrated by the people of Tamil Nadu. It is a Solar Calendar during which months start when the Sun moves from one Zodiac Sign to another. The day starts with sunrise according to Tamil Calendar.

The festive occasions of Tamil calendar along with their brief description are given below in tabulated form.

Date	Day	Occasion	Description
5 January 2019	Saturday	Hanumath Jayanthi	In Tamil Nadu, the birth of Lord Hanuman is celebrated during Margashirsha Amavasya.
14 January 2019	Monday	Bhogi Pandigai	Bhogi Pandigai is celebrated on 14th of January during each year as per the Solar Calendar.
15 January 2019	Tuesday	Pongal	The day which is observed as Makar Sankranti in North India is celebrated as Pongal in Tamil. Pongal is a four day long festival.
16 January 2019	Wednesday	Mattu Pongal	The day following Pongal is known as Mattu Pongal. It is dedicated to the worship of livestock. It is the day when Jallikattu is extensively enjoyed by the Tamilians.
21 January 2019	Monday	Thaipusam	It is celebrated during the Tmail Solar month Thai. This festival is also known as Thaipooyam. The festival celebrates the holy occasion on which Goddess Parvati gave Murugan a weapon to demolish demon Soorapadman.
4 February 2019	Monday	Thai Amavasai	It is a day dedicated to appease your ancestors. On this day, people pray to gratify the souls of their forefathers. The day is celebrated with zeal and gusto.
12 February 2019	Tuesday	Ratha Saptami	The Shukla Paksha Saptami in the month of Magha is celebrated as Ratha Saptami. It is considered as the day on which Lord Surya was born. It is also known as Surya Jayanti or Magha Saptami.
19 February 2019	Tuesday	Masi Magam	It is a festival during which people take a holy bath to wash away their sins. The festival is celebrated during Makam nakshatra in the month of Masi month.
4 March 2019	Monday	Shivaratri	It is the festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated in North India as well as South India.
14 March 2019	Thursday	Karadaiyan Nombu	It is the festival during which a married woman prays and fasts for the longevity of her husband.
21 March 2019	Thursday	Panguni Uthiram	Panguni Uthiram is an important Tamil festival. It is celebrated in Panguni Nakshatra. It is the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati, Lord Murugan married Goddess Deivayanai, and Lord Rama married Goddess Sita.
6 April 2019	Saturday	Ugadi - Telugu New Year	Ugadi, also known as Yugadi is the Telugu New Year.
13 April 2019	Saturday	Rama Navami Smarta	It celebrates the birth of Lord Rama.
14 April 2019	Sunday	Rama Navami Iskcon	It celebrates the birth of Lord Rama.
		Puthandu	Puthandu is the Tamil New Year festival.
15 April 2019	Monday	Vishu	Mesha Sankranti is a popular festival in Tamil Nadu. It is commonly known as Vishu.
19 April 2019	Friday	Chitra Pournami	This festival is dedicated to Chitragupta, assistant of the God of death Lord Yama.
4 May 2019	Saturday	Agni Nakshatram Begins	It marks the beginning of Agni Nakshatram which is dedicated to Lord Murugan.
7 May 2019	Tuesday	Akshaya Thiruthiyai	It is a festival which brings prosperity. Buying gold on this day is considered very auspicious.
9 May 2019	Thursday	Sankara Jayanthi	It is the birth anniversary of Guru Adi Shankara.
		Ramanuja Jayanthi	It is the festival dedicated to Sri Ramanuja Acharya.
18 May 2019	Saturday	Vaikasi Visakam	The day celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Murugan
29 May 2019	Wednesday	Agni Nakshatram Ends	It marks the end of Agni Nakshatram which is dedicated to Lord Murugan.
31 July 2019	Wednesday	Aadi Amavasai	It is one of the 3 most important new moon days.
3 August 2019	Saturday	Aadi Perukku	It is also known as Aadi monsoon festival. It is a thanksgiving festival.
		Andal Jayanthi	This festival is dedicated to the consort of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Andal.
5 August 2019	Monday	Garuda Panjami	It is the festival dedicated to Garuda, the vehicle and the carrier of Lord Vishnu.
9 August 2019	Friday	Varalakshmi Vratam	This festival is dedicated to the consort of Lord Vishnu and the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Varalakshmi.
14 August 2019	Wednesday	Avani Avittam Rigveda	This is a festival of the Brahmins during which they practice the Vedic ritual of changing their Upanayana thread. The day is followed by Gayathri Japam.
15 August 2019	Thursday	Avani Avittam Yajur Veda	This is a festival of the Brahmins during which they practice the Vedic ritual of changing their Upanayana thread. The day is followed by Gayathri Japam. The given date is according to Yajurveda.
16 August 2019	Friday	Gayathri Japam	On this day, young children start their process of learning and gaining knowledge after performing the rituals of Upkarma.
19 August 2019	Monday	Maha Sangada Hara Chaturthi	Fasts and prayers are performed on this day to appease Lord Ganesha.
23 August 2019	Friday	Ashtami Rohini	It commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna.
24 August 2019	Saturday	Gokulashtami	The birth of Lord Krishna, which is celebrated as Janamashtami in most of the parts of country is also known as Gokulashtami.
1 September 2019	Sunday	Avani Avittam - Samaveda	This is a festival of the Brahmins during which they practice the Vedic ritual of changing their Upanayana thread. The day is followed by Gayathri Japam.
2 September 2019	Monday	Vinayagar Chaturthi	The birth of Lord Ganesha is celebrated as Vinayagar Chaturthi in Tamil. It is commonly known as Ganesha Chaturthi in most parts of the country.
11 September 2019	Wednesday	Onam	Onam is a festival extensively celebrated in Kerala. It is decided according to the Solar Calendar. It celebrates the annual visit of Emperor Mahabali. This is generally a 10 day long festival.
18 September 2019	Wednesday	Maha Bharani	It is done during the Aparahna Kaal of Pitru Paksha of Bharani Nakshatra.
26 September 2019	Thursday	Magha Shraddha	It is done during the Aparahna Kaal of Pitru Paksha of Magha Nakshatra.
28 September 2019	Saturday	Mahalaya Amavasai	It is done to appease the departed souls of the family.
29 September 2019	Sunday	Navarathiri	Navarathri is the festival dedicated to the the 9 forms of Goddess Durga. One form is worshipped each day and the idols of the Goddess are immersed in water on the 10th day or Vijayadashmi.
7 October 2019	Monday	Ayutha Poojai	It is a festival in South India, where people worship all sorts of instruments and tools that play an important role in their lives. It is also known as Shastra Puja and Astra Puja.
		Saraswati Poojai	Saraswati Puja is dedicated to the worship of Goddess of knowledge - Goddess Saraswati. It is on the next day of Saraswati Puja that Vidyarambh Sanskar of a child is performed to give a good start to a child's educational life.
8 October 2019	Tuesday	Vijaya Dashami	It is the festival which celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and that of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. It is an occasion celebrated with zest and gaiety.
		Vidyarambham	This is the occasion when a child start to learn or study for the first time. As knowledge is power, the best provisions are done so that the child learns the best during his/her lifetime.
27 October 2019	Sunday	Deepavali	While Deepavali is celebrated after sunset during Pradosh of the Amavasya, it is celebrated before sunrise during Chaturdashi of Brahma Muhurta in Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated as the victory of Lord Krishna and his wife Goddess Satyabhama over the evil demon Narakasura, instead of celebrating Lord Rama's return to his home, Ayodhya.
		Lakshmi Puja	This is a major Hindu festival celebrated during the 5-day Deepavali festivities. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Goddess Laxmi. Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja is held on this day to appease Goddess Laxmi and get her blessings.
		Kedara Gowri Vratham	On this day, a fast is observed by Tamil people to appease Lord Shiva. It is believed that Goddess Parvati herself observed this fast to please Lord Shiva. That's why this festival is known as Kedara Gauri Vrat.
2 November 2019	Saturday	Soorasamharam	This festival is dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is celebrated on the sixth day of the month Karthika. The day marks the victory of the good over the evil as Lord Murugan gained a victory over the demon Surapadman on the day of Soorasamharam.
2 December 2019	Monday	Subrahmanya Shashti	It is also known as Kukke Subramanya Sashti. It is celebrated on the next Skanda Sashti which comes after Soorasamharam.
10 December 2019	Tuesday	Karthigai Deepam	It is based on Solar calendar. During this festival, the Karthigai Deepam is lit after 6 p.m. from the flame of the Bharani Deepam which is lit before.
26 December 2019	Thursday	Hanumath Jayanthi	It is celebrated during Margashira Amavasya. It celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman. It generally falls December or January as per the Gregorian calendar.

Days of Tamil Calendar

There are seven days per week in the Tamil Calendar. They are:

Ravi vaasara (Sunday)
Soma vaasara (Monday)
Mangala vaasara (Tuesday)
Budan vaasara (Wednesday)
Guru vaasara (Thursday)
Sukra vaasara (Friday)
Shani vaasara (Saturday)

Months of Tamil Calendar

There are total number twelve months in the Tamil Calendar, each of which spans for about 29 to 32 days. These months are given as follows:

1. Chithirai

It is the first month of the Tamil Calendar, the first day of which marks the beginning of Tamil New Year. This month will start on April 14 in 2019 and end on 14 May 2019, completing 31 days.

2. Vaikasi

Vaikasi is the second month of the Tamil Calendar. It will stretch from 15th May 2019 to 15 June 2019, spanning for 32 days in total. Vaikasi Visakam is the most important day of this month.

3. Ani

The third month of the Tamil Calendar is known as Ani. It is generally avoided to shift into a new house during the month of Aani. In 2019, it will start on 16th June and end on 16 July, completing 31 days.

4. Adi

It is the fourth month of the Tamil Calendar. This month is considered inauspicious for carrying out marriage ceremonies. The Fridays of this month are dedicated for immersing oneself in prayers and worship. It will begin on 17 July 2019 and will end on 17 August 2019, spanning 32 days.

5. Avani

It is the fifth month of the Tamil Calendar. This is an auspicious month full of celebrations and auspicious occasions. The month runs from 18 August 2019 to 17 September 2019, covering 31 days in total.

6. Purattasi

It is the sixth month of the Tamil Calendar during which Tamil people stay away from the consumption of meat. Lord Saturn is worshipped on the Saturdays of this month. In 2019, this month will start on 18 September and end in 17 October.

7. Aippasi

The seventh month of the Tamil Calendar is known as Aippasi. This month generally bring torrential rains in Tamil Nadu. It starts on 18 October 2019 and end on 16 November in 2019.

8. Karthikai

The eighth Tamil year is called Karthikai. It is an auspicious month during which fasting is prevalent. It is believed that fasting during this month fetches the desired results. In 2019, Karthikai will begin on 17 November and end on 16 December.

9. Margazhi

It is the ninth month of the Tamil Calendar, which is considered auspicious for finding grooms for unmarried girls. The month will begin on 17 December 2019 and end on 14 January 2020 as per Gregorian Calendar.

10. Thai

The tenth month of the Tamil Calendar is known as Thai. It falls in mid January during each year. Mostly, it a month dedicated to conducting marriage ceremonies. In 2019, this month will be observed during 15 January 2019 to 12 February 2019.