{{Infobox month | image = | alt = | caption = | native_name = {{lang|ta|Chittirai}} | calendar = Tamil calendar | num = 1 | days = 30 or 31 | season = Ila-venil (Spring) | gregorian = April–May | holidays = {{ubl |Chitra Pournami |Puthandu }} | prev_month = Panguni | next_month = Vaikasi }} '''Chithirai''' is the first 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 Chittirai 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 ila-venil (spring) season and falls in April–May 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 first month of Chaitra, falling in the Gregorian months of March–April.<ref name="Siddhantha"/>
In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the first month of Mesha and begins with the Sun's entry into Aries.<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 first month of Visnu.<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 == The first day of the month is celebrated as the Tamil New Year's Day, known as Puthandu by the Tamils.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/puthandu-2025-know-the-date-history-significance-celebrations-of-tamil-new-year-9921613/|title=Puthandu 2025: Know the date, history, significance, celebrations of Tamil New Year|work=The Indian Express|date=13 April 2025 |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>
Chitra Pournami is observed on the Pournami (full moon day) of the month. It is dedicated to Chitragupta, the divine accountant for Yama.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sisnambalava.org.uk/articles/religion/chitra-pournami-20130418045857.aspx|title=Chitra Pournami|date=18 Apr 2013|work=South Indian Society|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> People take a holy bath in rivers or temple tanks on this day to cleanse the sins of the past.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://astroulagam.com.my/lifestyle/why-chitra-pournami-celebrated-59649|title=Why Is Chitra Pournami Celebrated?|work=Astro Ulagam|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> Other rituals include special pujas to Indra, offerings of rice, and Kavadi Attam dedicated to Murugan. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://varnam.my/90597/chitra-pournami-embracing-divine-blessings/|title=Chitra Pournami: Embracing Divine Blessings|work=Varnam Malaysia|date=23 April 2024 |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Hinduism}} * Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar * Hindu astronomy
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Tamil calendar}}
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