calendar: Celebrations The months of the Tamil Calendar have great significance and are deeply rooted in the faith of Tamil Hindus. Some months are considered very auspicious, while a few are considered inauspicious as well. Tamil months start and end based on the Sun's shift from one Rāsi to the other, but the names of the months are based on the star on the start of the pournami in that month. The name of the month is sometimes the name of the star itself. (e.g. Chittirai is always the star on the pournami of the Chittirai month). Some of the celebrations for each month are listed below. Dates in parentheses are not exact and usually vary by a day or two. Underneath (or beside) the months of the Hindu calendar are their Gregorian counterparts. Significance The Hindus developed a system of calendrics that encapsulates vast periods of time. For computing the age of the earth and various geological and other epochs, as well as the age of mankind, they still employ a Tamil calendar derived from ancient astronomical data, known as the Tirukkanida Panchanga The 10th Tamil month, called Tai, falls in mid-January each year. It is celebrated with much enthusiasm within the Tamil Community all over the world. Tai is marked by gifts of new clothing for family members and prayers to God for prosperity in the coming year. Tai and the fifth month Āvaṇi are considered very auspicious for marriage and most marriages occur during these months. The fourth month Ādi is a busy month for most people including priests as there will be major temple festivities throughout the month, so most weddings do not often fall in this month. Ādi is the month of preparation for the next crop cycle by farmers. Therefore, farming communities avoid major events like weddings in this month. Those members of the Tamil community who don't actively contribute/participate in farming take advantage by having important functions like wedding in this month. For example, the business community prefers this month for weddings. Ādi is usually the worst month for business, although when businesses recently initiated Ādi discounts, this situation has changed significantly. Each Friday of this month is set aside for prayer and worship. Ādi is portrayed as an inauspicious month for union of newlyweds because conceiving in this month might often result in child delivery around April–May, the hottest months in Tamil