The Tamil calendar is a solar calendar used in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and Tamil diaspora communities. The current year is "Visvavasu" — Tamil years follow a 60-year cycle of named years. Tamil New Year (Puthandu) is celebrated on 14 April. The daily panchangam provides tithi, nakshatra, and auspicious times (nalla neram).
The 12 Tamil months are: Chithirai (Apr-May), Vaikasi (May-Jun), Aani (Jun-Jul), Aadi (Jul-Aug), Aavani (Aug-Sep), Purattaasi (Sep-Oct), Aippasi (Oct-Nov), Karthigai (Nov-Dec), Margazhi (Dec-Jan), Thai (Jan-Feb), Maasi (Feb-Mar), and Panguni (Mar-Apr).
Each month begins when the Sun enters a new zodiac sign (rashi). This makes the Tamil calendar a true solar calendar — unlike the lunisolar Hindu calendar variants used in North India.
Pongal (Thai 1, 14 January) is one of the most important Tamil festivals — a 4-day harvest celebration.
Tamil panchangam shows 5 daily elements plus auspicious/inauspicious time windows:
NALLA NERAM (good time) — windows when celebrations and important activities should be performed.
RAHU KALAM — daily 90-minute inauspicious window. Different for each weekday (Mon 7:30-9:00, Tue 3:00-4:30, etc.).
YAMAGANDAM — second daily inauspicious window, also 90 minutes.
KULIGAI — third daily window (varies by weekday).