Chithirai
| Chithirai | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Chittirai |
| Calendar | Tamil calendar |
| Month number | 1 |
| Number of days | 30 or 31 |
| Season | Ila-venil (Spring) |
| Gregorian equivalent | April–May |
| Significant days | |
Chithirai is the first month of the Tamil calendar. The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Chittirai nakshatra (star) on the pournami (full moon) day. The month corresponds to ila-venil (spring) season and falls in April–May in the Gregorian calendar.
In the Hindu lunar calendar, it corresponds to the first month of Chaitra, falling in the Gregorian months of March–April.
In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the first month of Mesha and begins with the Sun's entry into Aries.
In the Vaishnav calendar, it corresponds to the first month of Visnu.