Tamil Calendar For January 2024
As someone who has grown up following the Tamil calendar, I always look forward to the start of a new year. The month of January is particularly special as it marks the beginning of a new Tamil year. In this article, I will be discussing the various events and festivals that take place in January 2024 according to the Tamil calendar.
Overview of Tamil Calendar
The Tamil calendar is a solar calendar that is followed by the Tamil speaking population in Tamil Nadu and parts of Sri Lanka. It is based on the movement of the sun and consists of 12 months. Each month is divided into two parts – the bright fortnight or Shukla Paksha and the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha.
Significance of January
January is an important month in the Tamil calendar as it marks the beginning of a new Tamil year. It is known as Thai and is considered to be a month of new beginnings and fresh starts. The month is named after the star Makara or Capricorn which is the zodiac sign of the month.
List of Events and Festivals
January 2024 is a month filled with festivals and events in the Tamil calendar. Here is a list of some of the most important ones:
- Pongal – January 14th
- Thaipusam – January 17th
- Thai Poosam – January 18th
- Maatu Pongal – January 15th
- Kaanum Pongal – January 16th
Celebration of Festivals
Pongal is the most important festival in January and is celebrated over four days. It is a harvest festival that marks the end of the farming season and the beginning of the new year. On the first day of Pongal, known as Bhogi, people clean their homes and discard old items. The second day, Thai Pongal, is the main day of the festival where people cook sweet rice in pots decorated with sugarcane, turmeric, and mango leaves. On the third day, Maatu Pongal, people worship cattle and offer them special food. The final day, Kaanum Pongal, is when people visit relatives and friends and exchange gifts.
Thaipusam is another important festival that is celebrated in January. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan and is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai. Devotees carry kavadis or decorated frames on their shoulders as a form of penance and devotion. Thai Poosam is a similar festival that is celebrated the day after Thaipusam.
Question and Answer
Q: What is the significance of Pongal?
A: Pongal is a harvest festival that marks the end of the farming season and the beginning of the new year. It is celebrated over four days and is one of the most important festivals in the Tamil calendar.
Q: What is Thaipusam?
A: Thaipusam is a Hindu festival that is dedicated to the god Murugan. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai. Devotees carry kavadis or decorated frames on their shoulders as a form of penance and devotion.
FAQs
Q: How is the Tamil calendar different from the Gregorian calendar?
A: The Tamil calendar is a solar calendar that is based on the movement of the sun. It consists of 12 months and each month is divided into two parts – the bright fortnight or Shukla Paksha and the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha. The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar that is based on the movement of the earth around the sun. It consists of 12 months and each month has a fixed number of days.
Q: What is the difference between Thai Pongal and Maatu Pongal?
A: Thai Pongal is the main day of the Pongal festival and is when people cook sweet rice in pots decorated with sugarcane, turmeric, and mango leaves. Maatu Pongal is the third day of the festival and is when people worship cattle and offer them special food.
Q: Why is Thaipusam celebrated?
A: Thaipusam is celebrated in honor of the Hindu god Murugan. It is believed that on this day, Murugan defeated the demon Soorapadman with the help of his spear or vel.