Year Guide · Tamil Nadu, Puducherry
Tamil Calendar 2026 தமிழ் காலண்டர்
The Tamil calendar is built on solar months, so its dates stay remarkably steady from year to year. Here is everything it means for 2026: the new year, when each month begins, and the date of every major festival.
Puthandu
April 14, 2026
Parabhava year begins
Solar (Souramana)
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry
2026 at a glance
Solar months: why the dates barely move
Each month of this calendar begins when the Sun enters a new zodiac sign (a Sankranti), so month start dates stay within a day or two of the same Gregorian date every year. In 2026 the Sun enters Mesha (Aries) on the morning of April 14, which sets the regional new year. Lunar-tithi festivals such as Durga Puja and Diwali still move, and in 2026 they fall later than usual because of the year's Adhik Jyeshtha leap month.
Tamil calendar 2026: what to know
In 2026, Puthandu falls on a Tuesday (April 14). Set against 2027, this year's Moon-based festivals fall: Krishna Jayanthi 11 days later, Deepavali 11 days later, Thaipusam 10 days later, Vinayakar Chathurthi 10 days later. Fixed to the solar calendar or a civil date, these stay on (almost) the same day in both years: Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal / Thiruvalluvar Day, Kaanum Pongal, Puthandu. The 11 dates listed below run from January to November 2026.
Tamil months in 2026
When each month of the Tamil year begins, on the Gregorian calendar.
| Month | Starts around |
| Chithirai | Apr 14 |
| Vaikasi | May 15 |
| Aani | Jun 15 |
| Aadi | Jul 17 |
| Aavani | Aug 17 |
| Purattasi | Sep 17 |
| Aippasi | Oct 17 |
| Karthigai | Nov 16 |
| Margazhi | Dec 16 |
| Thai | Jan 15 |
| Maasi | Feb 13 |
| Panguni | Mar 15 |
Each month begins on the day after (or, in some regions, the day of) the Sun's Sankranti into the next sign, so a start date can move by a day from year to year.
Tamil festivals in 2026
Dates follow the Tamil Nadu government holiday list for 2026.
Bhogi
Thai Pongal
Mattu Pongal / Thiruvalluvar Day
Kaanum Pongal
Thaipusam
Puthandu
Krishna Jayanthi
Vinayakar Chathurthi
Ayudha Pooja
Vijaya Dasami
Deepavali
Tithi-based festivals can shift by a day between Panchangs depending on local sunrise. For ceremony timing, confirm with your local Panchang or priest.
From the Shop
The printable Tamil Calendar
Built on the real Tamil solar calendar, with a Thirukkural couplet for every month. Instant PDF download.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Tamil New Year in 2026?
Puthandu falls on April 14, 2026. Parabhava year begins.
What day of the week is Puthandu 2026?
Puthandu 2026 falls on a Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
What is the Tamil year name?
Tamil years follow the 60-year cycle of named years. The year beginning at Puthandu 2026 is Parabhava; the one beginning at Puthandu 2027 is Plavanga.
More Tamil calendar years
See the Tamil Calendar 2027, or the Tamil Calendar guide for how the system works. For the pan-Indian picture, see Hindu Calendar 2026.
Other regional calendars for 2026
Assamese 2026 · Bengali 2026 · Gujarati 2026 · Hindi 2026 · Kannada 2026 · Malayalam 2026 · Marathi 2026 · Odia 2026 · Punjabi 2026 · Telugu 2026