{{Infobox month | image = | alt = | caption = | native_name = {{lang|ta|Āvaṇi}} | calendar = Tamil calendar | num = 5 | days = 31 or 32 | season = Kār (monsoon) | gregorian = August–September | holidays = {{ubl |Avani Avittam |Gokulashtami |Vinayakar Chaturti }} | prev_month = Aadi | next_month = Purattasi }} '''Avani''' is the fifth month of the Tamil calendar.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/tamil-calendar.html|title=Tamil Calendar – Months |work=Time and Date |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Thiruvonam nakshatra (star) on the pournami (full moon) day.<ref>{{cite book|title=Heavens and Earth: The Story of Astrology Through Ages and Cultures|author=Garima Garg|year=2022|isbn=978-9-354-92705-8|publisher=Penguin Random House|page=75}}</ref> The month corresponds to kar kaalam (monsoon season) and falls in August–September in the Gregorian calendar.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Circle of Six Seasons|author=Martha Ann Selby|year=2003|isbn=978-0-141-00772-4|page=xxix}}</ref><ref name="Siddhantha">{{cite book|title=The Siddhantas and the Indian Calendar|author1=Robert Sewell|author2=John Faithful Fleet|year=1989|publisher=Asian Educational Services|page=334}}</ref>
In the Hindu lunar calendar, it corresponds to the fifth month of Shravana, falling in the Gregorian months of July–August.<ref name="Siddhantha"/>
In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the fifth month of Simha and begins with the Sun's entry into Leo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindunet.org/home/interfaith_relations/hirani/hindu_panchang.htm |title=Hindu Panchang|work=Hindu Net|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>
In the Vaishnav calendar, it corresponds to the fifth month of Sridhara.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaisnavacalendar.info/aboutcalendar.htm|title=Vaisnava Calendar Reminder Services – About Calendar |work=Vaisnava Calendar |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.isvara.org/archive/on-the-calendar-by-srila-prabhupada/ |title=Something about the Vaisnava Calendar |work=ISVARA |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>
== Festivals == Gokulashtami marks the birth of Hindu god Krishna and is celebrated on the Ashtami (eighth day) thithi of Krishna Paksha (waxing moon). It is one of the major Hindu festivals, especially those following Vaishnava traditions.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ellwood|first=Robert|title=The Encyclopedia of World Religions|date=1998|publisher=Infobase Publishing|location=New York|isbn=0-8160-6141-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofwo00robe/page/199 199]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofwo00robe/page/199}}</ref>
Vinayakar Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of god Ganesha.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ganesh Chaturthi |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ganesh-Chaturthi |work=Encyclopaedia Britannica |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> It is observed on the Chaturthi (fourth day) thithi of Shukla Paksha (waning moon).<ref>{{cite web |title=Ganesh Chaturthi – Celebrating the Birth of Lord Ganesha |url=https://www.indianpanorama.in/festivals/ganesh-chaturthi.php|work=Indian Panorama |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> The festival is marked by the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public pandals, daily prayers, offerings (including modak), and devotional singing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why We Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi – Significance & Importance |url=https://www.cheggindia.com/general-knowledge/why-we-celebrate-ganesh-chaturthi/|work=Chegg India |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> The idols are immersed in a body of water symbolising his return to his heavenly abode.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anant Chaturdashi 2025: Date, Time, Puja Rituals and Significance |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/anant-chaturdashi-2025-date-time-puja-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/123671391.cms|work=The Times of India |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Anant Chaturdashi |url=https://dhar.nic.in/en/festival/annat-chaturdashi/|work=Dhar District Official Website |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>
On the Purnima (full moon) day, certain communities such as Brahmins celebrate Avani avittam and perform rituals associated with Upakarma. Men change their sacred thread and begin to don a new one on the day annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/08/jandhyala-purnima.html|title=Jandhyala Purnima|date=16 August 2021|access-date=17 July 2023|archive-date=19 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819105012/https://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/08/jandhyala-purnima.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Hinduism}} * Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar * Hindu astronomy
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Tamil calendar}} *05