Jan
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Written by:
Jayanthi
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Western - Vedic Calendars
Western/ Hindi/ Tamil/ Malayalam
Unlike the Western calendar, which is very consistent and predictable without using astrological data, the Hindu calendars use either the sun or moon to determine the months, both in what day they start and in some cases, in their duration.
This article deals with the differences between the Western Calendar, the North Indian Hindu calendar and the South Indian Hindu Calendar. The North Indian Hindu calendar is followed in all states of India except Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Though, I have used the Tamil words to signify the months, this calendar is similar to the Kerala (Malayalam) calendar.
The Hindu calendars begin in the equivalent English month March- April, this is because this is when their New Year falls. Though Indian Hindus do celebrate January 1st as a new year, traditionally their new year falls in that time period. It is true, also that the Tamil and Malayalam new year falls after the New Year for the rest the Hindu Indian calendar. It is also true that their calendar does follow a different year in numbers, it is not 2003. I am not sure of the number of their year though.
Vedic Sun Signs:
In Vedic Astrology, the sun signsare called 'rasis', this is because
the sun's movement coincides with these rasis. Hence the Tamil and the Western Zodic are somewhat similiar in this. Below detail the rasis listed in Tamil and their equivalent English names.
Mesham = Aries
Rishabam = Taurus
Mithunam = Gemini
Kathakam = Cancer
Simhan = Leo
Kanya = Virgo |
Thulam = Libra
Vrishchigam = Scorpio
Dhanus = Sagittarius
Makaram = Capricorn
Kumbam = Aquarius
Meenam = Pisces |
Matrix Comparing English Months to Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam calendar months.
It is noted that for each 'Indian' calendar month, the cooresponding Indian calendar month stretches from approximately middle of the month to the middle of the next. For example, Makaram in the Malayalam calender starts roughly on January 14 or 15 each year and stretches for about one month, ending on February 12 (for 2009).
It is also noted that the months highlighted in red start the calendar year for those calendars.
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Months in the Various Hindu Calendars
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English Months
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Hindi/Tamil/Malayalam
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No. of Days
H/T/M
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April/ May
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Chaitra/ Chiththirai/ Medam
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30/31/31
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May/ June
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Vaisakha/ Vaikasi/ Edavam
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31/31/ 31
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June/ July
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Jyaistha/Aani/ Midhunam
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31/32/31
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July/ August
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Asadha/Aadi/ Karkidakam
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31/31/32
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August/ September
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Sravana/Aavani/ Chingam
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31/31/31
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September/ October
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Bhadrapada/ Purattasi/ Kanni
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31/31/30
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October/ November
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Asvina/Aippasi/ Thulam
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30/29-30/30
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November/ December
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Karttika/Karthigai/ Vrischikam
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30/29-30/30
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December/ January
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Margasirsa/Margazhi/ Dhanu
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30/29/30
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January/ Febraury
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Pausa/Thai/ Makaram
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30/29-30/29
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February/ March
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Magha/Maasi/ Kumbham
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30/29-30/30
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March/ April
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Phalguna/Panguni/ Meenam
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30/31/31
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Days of the Week Translated
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Western
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Hindi/Tamil/Malayalam
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Sunday (day of Sun)
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Raviãra/ Nyaayitrukizhamai/ Njayar
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Monday (day of Moon)
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Somavãra/ Thingatkizhamai/ Thingal
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Tuesday (day of Mars)
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Mañgalvã/ Sevvaaikizhamai/ Chovva
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Wednesday (day of Mercury)
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Budhavãra/ Budhankizhamai/ Budhan
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Thursday (day of Jupiter)
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Guruvã/ Vyaazhakizhamai/ Vyazham
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Friday (day of Venus)
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Sukravãra/ Vellikizhamai/ Velli
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Saturday (day of Saturn)
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Sanivãra/ Sanikizhamai/ Suni
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Referral Source
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**Months written in red symbolize the month of that calendar that start the New Year. One will notice that with each calendar, the New Year falls on different days and different months in relation to the Western Calendar. Hence, Indian Hindus often celebrate two New Year's- the local calendar (which has it's own numbered year) and the Western New Year's of January 1. One other interesting note is in relation to the Kerala (Malayalam) festival of Vishu, which falls in April, near or on Hindi New Year, Ugadi (Telugu new year) and the 'old' date for Tamil New Year (recently changed by Tamil Nadu government- the new 'Tamil New Year' day will initiate in 2009 as January 14, which is Thai 1, coinciding with Pongal holidays.). Since Vishu falls near or on the same date as those other Indian New Year days, people assume this is also Malayalam new year. Is Vishu Malayalam new year? Unofficially it is, to make it easier to coincide with other calendars. But practically for any Keralite, Chingam 1 (falling in August/September) is the actual Malayalam New Year in Kerala according to the calendar as Chingam is the first month in the Malayalam calendar year.
Read Story of Pongal Read Celebrations and Traditions of Vishu
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References: Hindu New Year.com
copyright 2002-2008 and beyond.
author: Jennifer Kumar
This page was visited over 53,000 between January 2002- January 2008 on tripod. Updated August 2003,
October, December 2007, July, September 2008, May 2009.
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Related Posts:
Western - Vedic Calendars: Western/ Hindi/ Tamil/ Malayalam Highlights the Indian Hindu Calendars (Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam) with coorelations of months and days to Western calendars.
Interfaith Amerian Indian Calendar - Follow my Google Calendar with 2009 dates for Hindu (All-India, Tamil, Telugu, Kerala), Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Parsi, Jain, Sikh and social holidays of India and US.
List of Hindu Holidays in Alphabetical Order (many found below also).
Best Tamil Calendar Fully in Tamil Script (1/09)
Koottam Malayalam Calendar (1/09)
Must see sites for matching Tamil calendar months/days to Western calendar days:
Tamil Panchagam- Helps one find stars (raasis) based on place, time, date, and other details. Helps calculate rahu kalam, yama kandam, and Kaligai (Based on jyothish).
Day converter - Convert western calendar days to Tamil days, months, years. Easy input system.
Dynamic Tamil Calendar- A traditional block calendar from 1900-2100. Gives similiar information to Tamil Panchagam but in a block calendar format.
Related Sites/Posts: Significance of Tamil New Year | Horoscope Compatibility and Marriage |
Copyright ©2008 Jennifer Jayanthi Kumar
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3 comments so far...
Re: Vedic Tamil Hindi and Malayalam Calendar
There is a correction. The malayalam new year is Vishu which is the 1st of Medam and falls in April.
By hv on
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
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Ganesh Chturdashi of the Year 1954
I want to know when was Ganesh Chaturdashi in the year 1954.
my e-mail is gaikwad.lodhivali@gmail.com
By Prashant on
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
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Re: Vedic Tamil Hindi and Malayalam Calendar
HI HV
Yes, Vishu is no doubt termed as the Malayalam new year and people follow this. However, I find it fascinating that Vishu, unlike say the 'New Year's Day' in the Western Calendar doesn't actually start the first day of the Malayalam calendar year. This is where Chingam 1 actually is also termed as New Year and I have Malayalam friends (and in laws too) who follow both Vishu and Chingam 1 as New Years, though one difference I do see is that there is no Kanni Kanal ritual for Chingam 1 (That I know of). I have written about rituals of Vishu here
http://alaivani.com/Blog/tabid/56/EntryID/244/Default.aspx
It is indeed fascinating. I believe to this there is no 'right' or 'wrong' answer as with many Indian/Hindu traditions they are practiced differently by different groups as well.
Prashant:
I hope you can find the answer to your question. I do not know the answer.
By Jennifer Jayanthi on
Friday, January 02, 2009
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