Tamil Calendar Converter — Thiruvalluvar Aandu & Samvatsara
Convert any Gregorian date to the Tamil calendar. The result shows the Tamil month name in English and Tamil script, the year in Thiruvalluvar Aandu (TA) — the Tamil Era — and the current 60-year Samvatsara cycle name. Furthermore, the tool flags Puthandu — Tamil New Year on 14 April — and shows the day number within the Tamil solar month.
How to use the Tamil Calendar Converter
The twelve Tamil months
The Tamil solar calendar has twelve months, each corresponding to the Sun's passage through one zodiac sign. Furthermore, the year begins with Chithirai when the Sun enters Aries (Mesha Rashi) on approximately 14 April.
| Month | Tamil | Zodiac sign | Gregorian approx. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Chithirai | சித்திரை | Aries (Mesha) | 14 Apr – 14 May |
| 2. Vaikasi | வைகாசி | Taurus (Rishabha) | 15 May – 14 Jun |
| 4. Aadi | ஆடி | Cancer (Karkataka) | 17 Jul – 16 Aug |
| 9. Margazhi | மார்கழி | Sagittarius (Dhanus) | 16 Dec – 14 Jan |
| 10. Thai | தை | Capricorn (Makara) | 14 Jan – 12 Feb |
How the Tamil calendar works
The Tamil calendar is a solar calendar — months begin when the Sun enters a new zodiac sign. Furthermore, the Tamil Era (Thiruvalluvar Aandu) year number is approximately 31 years ahead of the Gregorian year after 14 April.
Puthandu = 1 Chithirai = ~14 April (Sun enters Aries)
Month length = varies 29–32 days based on solar transit time
Samvatsara = same 60-year cycle as Vikram Samvat
Worked example: Puthandu 2025
Puthandu — Tamil New Year — falls on 14 April 2025. What is the Tamil calendar date?
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Gregorian date | 14 April 2025 |
| Tamil date | 1 Chithirai 2056 TA |
| Samvatsara | Sarvajit |
| Event | Puthandu — Tamil New Year |
What is the Tamil calendar?
The Tamil calendar is the traditional solar calendar of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil-speaking community of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, it governs Tamil festivals, religious observances and the Tamil New Year.
The Tamil Era (Thiruvalluvar Aandu, TA) honours the Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, author of the Thirukkural. Furthermore, Year 1 TA is approximately 31 BCE — making the Tamil year about 31 years ahead of Gregorian. Moreover, Tamil Nadu uses the Tamil calendar in official state publications alongside Gregorian and Saka calendars.
Tamil calendar in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka
The Tamil calendar governs Puthandu, Thai Pongal, Aadi Perukku and Karthigai Deepam. Furthermore, Thai Pongal on 1 Thai (~14 January) marks the Sun's northward journey. Moreover, Tamil Nadu observes Thai Pongal as a 4-day public holiday with ceremonies, cooking and family gatherings.
Why the Tamil calendar matters
Tamil Nadu has a population of approximately 80 million — one of India's most industrialised states and a major hub for automobile manufacturing, IT services and textiles. Furthermore, key Tamil festivals — Thai Pongal, Puthandu and Karthigai Deepam — are public holidays that affect business schedules. Moreover, the Tamil diaspora in Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and the Gulf celebrates these festivals with significant community events.
Sri Lanka has approximately 3 million Tamil-speaking citizens for whom Tamil calendar dates are culturally significant. Furthermore, Tamil and Sinhala New Year (both on 14 April) is Sri Lanka's biggest national holiday. Moreover, Tamil communities in Singapore and Malaysia also observe Puthandu as a cultural holiday, with Tamil cultural organisations hosting events on 14 April each year.
Thai Pongal — the harvest festival
Thai Pongal falls on 1 Thai (approximately 14 January) and celebrates the Sun's entry into Capricorn. Furthermore, it is a 4-day festival in Tamil Nadu — Bhogi (preceding day), Pongal (main day), Mattu Pongal (cattle worship) and Kaanum Pongal (family gathering). Moreover, Pongal is celebrated by Tamil communities worldwide and has been declared a national holiday in Sri Lanka as Sinhala and Tamil New Year alongside the April new year.
Frequently asked questions
Related Date & Time tools
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Hindu Vikram Samvat Converter
Convert to the Hindu lunisolar Vikram Samvat calendar. Furthermore, the 60-year Samvatsara cycle applies to Tamil years as well.
→Indian Saka Calendar
Convert to India's official Saka calendar. Furthermore, Saka year starts 22 March — different from Tamil's 14 April new year.
→Bengali Calendar Converter
Convert to the Bengali Bongabdo calendar. Furthermore, Pohela Boishakh and Tamil Puthandu both fall on 14 April.
→Moon Phase Calculator
Find the moon phase for any date. Furthermore, Tamil lunar festivals including Karthigai Deepam follow the full moon.
→Days Until Calculator
Count days until Puthandu, Thai Pongal or any other event. Additionally, a multi-event dashboard tracks ten countdowns.
→Date Difference Calculator
Exact gap between any two dates. Furthermore, milestone markers show every 100th and 1000th day automatically.
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