Thirukalyanam or Celestial Wedding Festival at
Pradosham Fasting dates in Chithirai Masam are April 28 and May 14
Festival and Auspicious dates in Chithirai Month 2025
- Pillayar Sankatahara Chaturthi is on May 5
- Sashti – April 22
- Chithirai Pournami – May 1
Chithirai Masam: The Auspicious Beginning of the Tamil Hindu Calendar
Chithirai Masam, or the month of Chithirai, marks the beginning of the traditional Tamil Hindu calendar. It usually corresponds to mid-April to mid-May in the Gregorian calendar. As the first month of the Tamil year, Chithirai is regarded as a sacred and highly auspicious period, filled with vibrant festivals, ancient rituals, and religious observances rooted in deep spiritual and cultural significance.
Meaning and Cultural Significance
The word "Chithirai" is derived from one of the 27 nakshatras or lunar constellations in Hindu astrology. This month is considered the harbinger of new beginnings, prosperity, and auspicious ventures. The Tamil New Year, known as Puthandu, falls on the first day of Chithirai, symbolizing renewal and spiritual rejuvenation. Homes are decorated with kolams (traditional floor art), neem flowers and raw mangoes, while people wear new clothes and prepare traditional dishes to celebrate the occasion.
Chithirai Masam is a time when nature is in full bloom, and the Tamil lands are enriched with divine energy. It is also believed that the devas (celestial beings) descend to Earth during this period to bless devotees.
Important Hindu Festivals in Chithirai Masam
Tamil New Year (Puthandu)
Puthandu, the Tamil New Year, is observed with great enthusiasm on the first day of Chithirai. Devotees wake up early, take an oil bath, and visit temples to seek blessings from the divine. Special prayers and offerings are made to deities, and families prepare a feast that includes sweet and savory dishes.
Chithirai Thiruvizha
Chithirai Thiruvizha is one of the most significant temple festivals of Tamil Nadu, held in the city of Madurai. This grand celebration spans several days and commemorates the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar (a form of Lord Shiva). The festival also celebrates the coronation of Meenakshi as the queen of Madurai.
A prominent part of the festival is the "Alagar Festival," where Lord Alagar (Vishnu) is believed to travel from his abode in Alagar Kovil to Madurai to attend his sister Meenakshi’s wedding. Thousands of devotees gather to witness the re-enactment of this divine journey, filled with rituals, music, and vibrant processions.
Chithirai Pournami
The full moon day of Chithirai, known as Chithirai Pournami, holds immense spiritual significance. On this day, many temples conduct special pujas and processions. Devotees take holy dips in rivers and temple tanks, believing that it purifies the soul and washes away sins. Girivalam or circumambulation of holy hills, especially at Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, is considered highly auspicious.
In some regions, Chithirai Pournami is associated with Lord Murugan, and devotees undertake fasts and offer special prayers to seek his grace.
Fasting and Rituals
During Chithirai Masam, devotees engage in various spiritual practices such as fasting, charity, and temple visits. Fasting on Chithirai Pournami is considered especially meritorious. Women observe vratams (religious vows) for family welfare, health, and prosperity. Special abhishekams (ritual bathing of deities) with milk, honey, sandalwood paste, and water are performed in temples.
Reciting religious texts, singing devotional songs, and participating in bhajans and satsangs are common practices during this month. The air is filled with devotion and celebration, as households and temples alike echo with chants and prayers.
Astrological and Spiritual Importance
According to Hindu astrology, Chithirai Masam is an ideal time for starting new ventures, marriages, housewarming ceremonies, and spiritual initiations. The solar transition that occurs in this month, known as Mesha Sankranti, marks the entry of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Aries, considered a spiritually powerful moment.
It is also believed that performing good deeds and acts of charity during Chithirai yields manifold spiritual rewards. Many devotees feed the poor, donate clothes and other essentials, and engage in community service as an offering to the divine.
Special Days and Observances
Apart from the Tamil New Year and Chithirai Pournami, the month also includes other significant observances such as:
-
Varusha Pirappu: Another name for the Tamil New Year, celebrated with the reading of the Panchangam (astrological almanac).
-
Meenakshi Kalyanam: The divine wedding ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.
-
Alagar Thiruvizha: The procession of Lord Alagar from Alagar Kovil to Madurai.
-
Murugan Festivals: Devotees of Lord Murugan offer special prayers and carry kavadi in some parts of Tamil Nadu.
Final Thoughts
Chithirai Masam is not just the start of the Tamil calendar but also a spiritual awakening for devotees across Tamil Nadu and other Tamil-speaking regions. The month’s vibrant festivals, sacred rituals, and auspicious days offer a unique blend of devotion, tradition, and cultural heritage. For followers of the Tamil Hindu tradition, Chithirai is a divine opportunity to reset life’s course with blessings, prosperity, and inner peace.