The Tamil festival calendar. Tamil festivals and vrats month by month, with the date and tithi timing of each observance.
January 2026 Margazhi – Thai
-
Margazhi Thiruvathirai (Arudra Darshan)
Tithi 6:51 PM, Jan 2 – 3:31 PM, Jan 3
Arudra Darshan celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord Nataraja on the Thiruvathirai (Ardra) star of Margazhi.
-
Thai Pongal
Tithi 3:19 PM, Jan 13 – 5:53 PM
The Tamil harvest thanksgiving on the Sun's entry into Makara.
-
Thiruvalluvar Day / Mattu Pongal
Tithi 5:55 PM, Jan 14 – 8:19 PM
The day after Pongal, when cattle are honoured.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 1:47 AM, Jan 24 – 12:47 AM, Jan 25
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Ratha Saptami
Tithi 12:41 AM, Jan 25 – 11:16 PM, Jan 25
Surya's chariot turns north — devotees bathe at dawn and worship the Sun god on Magha Shukla Saptami.
February 2026 Thai – Maasi
-
Thaipusam
Tithi 5:53 AM – 3:29 AM, Feb 2
Lord Murugan is worshipped on the Pusam star of Thai with kavadi.
-
Maha Shivaratri
Tithi 4:08 PM, Feb 14 – 5:08 PM
The great night of Lord Shiva.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 11:13 AM, Feb 22 – 9:09 AM, Feb 23
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
March 2026 Maasi – Panguni
-
Masi Magam
Tithi 5:52 PM, Mar 2 – 5:05 PM, Mar 3
On the Magham star of the Tamil month Maasi, temple deities are taken in procession to the sea and rivers for a holy bath.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 6:37 PM, Mar 23 – 4:07 PM, Mar 24
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
April 2026 Panguni – Chithirai
-
Panguni Uthiram
Tithi 6:55 AM, Apr 1 – 7:41 AM
The celestial weddings on the Uthiram star of the full moon of Panguni.
-
Puthandu (Tamil New Year)
Tithi 1:10 AM – 12:27 AM, Apr 15
The Tamil solar new year on the Sun's entry into Mesha (Chithirai 1).
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 1:19 AM, Apr 22 – 10:41 PM, Apr 22
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
May 2026 Chithirai – Vaikasi
-
Chithirai Thiruvizha
Tithi 9:12 PM, Apr 30 – 10:49 PM, May 1
Madurai's Chithirai festival peaks on the Chitra full moon of the Tamil month Chithirai with the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 8:08 AM, May 21 – 6:25 AM, May 22
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Vaikasi Visakam
Tithi 11:56 AM, May 30 – 2:14 PM
The birth star of Lord Murugan, the Visakam nakshatra of Vaikasi.
June 2026 Vaikasi – Aani
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 4:53 PM, Jun 19 – 3:42 PM, Jun 20
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Ani Thirumanjanam
Tithi 3:13 PM, Jun 21 – 3:36 PM, Jun 22
The grand sacred anointing of Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram on the Uttiram (Uttara Phalguni) star of the Tamil month Aani.
July 2026 Aani – Aadi
-
Aadi Pooram
Tithi 4:43 AM, Jul 18 – 3:21 AM, Jul 19
The birth of Andal (Kodhai) on the Pooram star of Aadi, celebrated grandly at Srivilliputhur.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 3:43 AM, Jul 19 – 3:10 AM, Jul 20
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
August 2026 Aadi – Aavani
-
Aadi Perukku
Tithi 11:16 PM, Aug 2 – 11:02 PM, Aug 3
On the 18th of Aadi, the swelling of the Cauvery and other rivers is celebrated with prayers to the waters.
-
Aadi Krithigai
Tithi 6:56 PM, Aug 6 – 4:40 PM, Aug 7
Lord Murugan is worshipped with lamps and abhishekam on the Krittika star of the Tamil month Aadi.
-
Aadi Amavasai Vrat
Tithi 1:53 AM, Aug 12 – 11:00 PM, Aug 12
The new moon of Aadi, observed with tarpan for ancestors and ritual baths in the sea and rivers.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 4:54 PM, Aug 17 – 5:46 PM, Aug 18
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Avani Avittam (Upakarma)
Tithi 9:20 AM, Aug 27 – 9:48 AM, Aug 28
Brahmins renew the sacred thread (Yajur Upakarma) on Shravana Purnima.
-
Varalakshmi Vratham Vrat
Tithi 9:20 AM, Aug 27 – 9:48 AM, Aug 28
Married women worship Goddess Lakshmi on the Friday before the full moon for the family's well-being.
September 2026 Aavani – Purattasi
-
Sri Krishna Jayanthi (Gokulashtami)
Tithi 2:26 AM, Sep 4 – 12:17 AM, Sep 5
The midnight birth of Lord Krishna.
-
Vinayagar Chaturthi
Tithi 6:51 AM, Sep 13 – 7:07 AM, Sep 14
The birth of Lord Ganesha on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 8:50 AM, Sep 16 – 10:47 AM, Sep 17
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
October 2026 Purattasi – Aippasi
-
Ayudha Puja / Saraswati Puja
Tithi 11:01 AM, Oct 19 – 12:52 PM, Oct 20
Tools, instruments and books are placed before Goddess Saraswati and worshipped on Vijayadashami.
November 2026 Aippasi – Karthikai
-
Deepavali
Tithi 10:23 AM, Nov 6 – 10:48 AM, Nov 7
The festival of lights, kept with the Ganga snanam at dawn (Naraka Chaturdashi).
-
Skanda Sashti (Soorasamharam)
Tithi 11:24 PM, Nov 14 – 2:04 AM, Nov 16
Six days of worship of Lord Murugan culminate in Soorasamharam — his victory over the demon Surapadman.
-
Karthigai Deepam
Tithi 11:44 PM, Nov 23 – 8:27 PM, Nov 24
The Tamil festival of lights — rows of agal vilakku are lit, and the Maha Deepam blazes atop Tiruvannamalai.
December 2026 Karthikai – Margazhi
-
Subramanya Shashti
Tithi 7:19 PM, Dec 14 – 9:24 PM, Dec 15
Lord Subramanya (Kartikeya) is worshipped at Kukke and beyond on Margashirsha Shukla Shashthi.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 7:19 PM, Dec 14 – 9:24 PM, Dec 15
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Dhanurmasam Begins
Tithi 9:22 PM, Dec 15 – 10:54 PM, Dec 16
The month of dawn Vishnu worship (Tiruppavai / Dhanurmasa) begins as the Sun enters Dhanu.
-
Vaikunta Ekadashi
Tithi 10:13 PM, Dec 19 – 8:23 PM, Dec 20
The Margazhi Ekadashi when the gates of Vaikuntha are said to open; Vishnu devotees fast and keep vigil.
January 2027 Margazhi – Thai
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 1:12 PM, Jan 13 – 2:00 PM, Jan 14
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Thai Pongal
Tithi 2:10 PM, Jan 14 – 2:15 PM
The Tamil harvest thanksgiving on the Sun's entry into Makara.
-
Mattu Pongal
Tithi 2:26 PM, Jan 15 – 1:45 PM, Jan 16
The third day of Pongal, when cattle are bathed, decorated and honoured for their role in farming.
-
Thaipusam
Tithi 5:44 PM, Jan 22 – 2:12 PM, Jan 23
Devotees of Lord Murugan carry kavadi in penance and thanksgiving on the Pusam star of Thai.
February 2027 Thai – Maasi
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 3:19 AM, Feb 12 – 3:11 AM, Feb 13
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Ratha Saptami
Tithi 3:00 AM, Feb 13 – 2:18 AM, Feb 14
Surya's chariot turns north — devotees bathe at dawn and worship the Sun god on Magha Shukla Saptami.
-
Thaipusam
Tithi 11:12 AM, Feb 19 – 8:00 AM
Lord Murugan is worshipped on the Pusam star of Thai with kavadi.
-
Masi Magam
Tithi 4:53 AM, Feb 21 – 1:55 AM, Feb 22
On the Magham star of the Tamil month Maasi, temple deities are taken in procession to the sea and rivers for a holy bath.
March 2027 Maasi – Panguni
-
Maha Shivaratri
Tithi 10:02 AM, Mar 5 – 12:04 PM, Mar 6
The great night of Lord Shiva.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 2:00 PM, Mar 13 – 12:33 PM, Mar 14
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Panguni Uthiram
Tithi 6:19 PM, Mar 21 – 4:11 PM, Mar 22
The Uthiram star of Panguni, celebrating the celestial weddings of Murugan-Deivanai and Shiva-Parvati.
April 2027 Panguni – Chithirai
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 9:40 PM, Apr 11 – 7:35 PM, Apr 12
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Puthandu (Tamil New Year)
Tithi 5:29 PM, Apr 13 – 3:24 PM, Apr 14
The Tamil solar new year begins as the Sun enters Mesha; homes are decorated with kolam and the Maruvilakku.
-
Chithirai Thiruvizha
Tithi 4:51 AM, Apr 20 – 3:45 AM, Apr 21
Madurai's Chithirai festival peaks on the Chitra full moon of the Tamil month Chithirai with the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.
May 2027 Chithirai – Vaikasi
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 3:48 AM, May 11 – 1:19 AM, May 12
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Chitra Pournami
Tithi 3:59 PM, May 19 – 4:26 PM
The full moon of Chithirai, sacred to Chitragupta.
June 2027 Vaikasi – Aani
-
Vaikasi Visakam
Tithi 12:15 PM, Jun 8 – 9:35 AM, Jun 9
The Visakam star of Vaikasi, celebrated as the birth star of Lord Murugan with special temple worship.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 9:25 AM, Jun 9 – 7:11 AM, Jun 10
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Vijayadashami
Tithi 2:44 AM, Jun 13 – 2:01 AM, Jun 14
The tenth day of Navratri, auspicious for vidyarambham.
-
Vaikasi Visakam
Tithi 4:35 AM – 6:03 AM, Jun 19
The birth star of Lord Murugan, the Visakam nakshatra of Vaikasi.
July 2027 Aani – Aadi
-
Ani Thirumanjanam
Tithi 4:01 PM, Jul 8 – 2:01 PM, Jul 9
The grand sacred anointing of Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram on the Uttiram (Uttara Phalguni) star of the Tamil month Aani.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 4:01 PM, Jul 8 – 2:01 PM, Jul 9
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
August 2027 Aadi – Aavani
-
Aadi Amavasai Vrat
Tithi 7:21 PM, Aug 1 – 3:35 PM, Aug 2
The new moon of Aadi, observed with tarpan for ancestors and ritual baths in the sea and rivers.
-
Aadi Perukku
Tithi 3:33 PM, Aug 2 – 11:51 AM, Aug 3
On the 18th of Aadi, the swelling of the Cauvery and other rivers is celebrated with prayers to the waters.
-
Aadi Pooram
Tithi 5:09 AM, Aug 5 – 2:12 AM, Aug 6
The birth of Andal (Kodhai) on the Pooram star of Aadi, celebrated grandly at Srivilliputhur.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 12:22 AM, Aug 7 – 10:48 PM, Aug 7
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Varalakshmi Vrat Vrat
Tithi 2:59 AM, Aug 13 – 5:14 AM, Aug 14
Married women worship Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and the welfare of the family.
-
Avani Avittam (Upakarma)
Tithi 10:31 AM, Aug 16 – 12:59 PM, Aug 17
Brahmins renew the sacred thread (Yajur Upakarma) on Shravana Purnima.
-
Sri Krishna Jayanthi (Gokulashtami)
Tithi 8:28 PM, Aug 24 – 7:26 PM, Aug 25
The midnight birth of Lord Krishna.
September 2027 Aavani – Purattasi
-
Vinayagar Chaturthi
Tithi 2:08 PM, Sep 3 – 12:24 PM, Sep 4
The birth of Lord Ganesha on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 11:02 AM, Sep 5 – 10:57 AM, Sep 6
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
October 2027 Purattasi – Aippasi
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 1:35 AM, Oct 5 – 2:17 AM, Oct 6
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Ayudha Puja / Saraswati Puja
Tithi 6:23 AM, Oct 8 – 9:02 AM, Oct 9
Tools, instruments and books are placed before Goddess Saraswati and worshipped during Navratri.
-
Deepavali
Tithi 10:49 PM, Oct 27 – 8:45 PM, Oct 28
The festival of lights, kept with the Ganga snanam at dawn (Naraka Chaturdashi).
November 2027 Aippasi – Karthikai
-
Skanda Sashti (Soorasamharam)
Tithi 7:29 PM, Nov 3 – 9:33 PM, Nov 4
Six days of worship of Lord Murugan culminate in Soorasamharam — his victory over the demon Surapadman.
-
Karthigai Deepam
Tithi 12:06 PM, Nov 24 – 10:51 AM, Nov 25
The Tamil festival of lights — rows of agal vilakku are lit, and the Maha Deepam blazes atop Tiruvannamalai.
December 2027 Karthikai – Margazhi
-
Subramanya Shashti
Tithi 4:12 PM, Dec 3 – 6:56 PM, Dec 4
Lord Subramanya (Kartikeya) is worshipped at Kukke and beyond on Margashirsha Shukla Shashthi.
-
Skanda Shashthi Vrat
Tithi 4:12 PM, Dec 3 – 6:56 PM, Dec 4
A vrat dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan / Skanda).
-
Vaikunta Ekadashi
Tithi 3:00 AM, Dec 9 – 3:37 AM, Dec 10
The Margazhi Ekadashi when the gates of Vaikuntha are said to open; Vishnu devotees fast and keep vigil.
-
Arudra Darisanam
Tithi 11:57 PM, Dec 12 – 9:44 PM
The cosmic dance of Nataraja on the Thiruvathirai star of Margazhi.
-
Dhanurmasam Begins
Tithi 4:13 PM, Dec 15 – 1:22 PM, Dec 16
The month of dawn Vishnu worship (Tiruppavai / Dhanurmasa) begins as the Sun enters Dhanu.
Tithi start and end times are shown in your local time. Festival dates follow the standard Indian (sunrise) calendar and may vary by a day in other regions, and may differ slightly from regional almanacs (especially around an Adhik Maas).
About the Tamil Calendar
The Tamil festival calendar. Tamil festivals and vrats month by month, with the date and tithi timing of each observance.
Each entry lists the festival or vrat with its date, the prevailing tithi, and a short note on the observance. Dates are shown for the current and the coming year.