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 major observance. The month is also associated with several cultural and religious activities beyond the new year. One of the most prominent events is the Chithirai Thiruvizha, a large temple festival held in Madurai, usually spanning about 12 days. The festival features ritual ceremonies, processions, and, in some years, a dramatic reenactment of the celestial marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, the principal deities of the Meenakshi Amman Temple. It is one of the city’s oldest and most significant cultural celebrations, attracting pilgrims and visitors from across Tamil Nadu and beyond.

Beyond Madurai, the term Chithirai is used to denote the month in Tamil calendars across Tamil-speaking regions, including Sri Lanka and the Tamil-speaking diaspora. The month and its festivals hold cultural importance in literature, music, and daily religious practice, reflecting the agrarian, ceremonial, and seasonal rhythms of Tamil life.