Chithirai
Chithirai is the first month of the Tamil solar calendar, typically falling between mid-April and mid-May in the Gregorian calendar. The name is linked to the star (nakshatra) Chithra and to the renewal associated with spring. For many Tamils, the month marks the Tamil New Year, known as Puthandu, which is celebrated with family gatherings, decorating homes, and temple visits.
In Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities abroad, Puthandu on the first day of Chithirai is a
Beyond Madurai, the term Chithirai is used to denote the month in Tamil calendars across Tamil-speaking regions,