Tamil Calendar 2024 Usa
As a Tamil American, I have always found it challenging to keep track of Tamil festivals and events while living in the USA. However, with the Tamil Calendar 2024 USA, I have found it much easier to stay connected with my culture and heritage. In this article, I will guide you through the Tamil Calendar 2024 USA, the events and festivals it encompasses, and the ways in which you can celebrate them.
Tamil Calendar 2024 USA
The Tamil Calendar 2024 USA is a traditional Hindu calendar that is used by Tamil Americans to keep track of important events and festivals. It is a lunar calendar that is based on the phases of the moon. The calendar is divided into twelve months, each of which lasts for a lunar month. The Tamil Calendar 2024 USA begins on April 14th, 2024, and ends on April 12th, 2025.
Events and Festivals
The Tamil Calendar 2024 USA is filled with festivals and events that are celebrated by Tamil Americans all over the country. Here is a list of some of the most important events and festivals that are celebrated:
- Puthandu – Tamil New Year
- Vaikasi Visakam – Celebration of Lord Murugan’s birthday
- Aadi Perukku – Celebration of the monsoon and the river Cauvery
- Varalakshmi Vratham – Celebration of Goddess Lakshmi
- Avani Avittam – Changing of the sacred thread for Brahmins
- Ganesh Chaturthi – Celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birthday
- Navaratri – Celebration of the nine forms of Goddess Durga
- Diwali – Festival of Lights
- Karthigai Deepam – Celebration of Lord Murugan’s victory over evil
- Pongal – Harvest festival
Celebrating Events and Festivals
Each event and festival in the Tamil Calendar 2024 USA has its own unique traditions and customs. Here is a brief overview of some of the ways in which you can celebrate these events and festivals:
- Puthandu – Tamil New Year: Prepare a feast of traditional Tamil dishes, decorate your home with kolams, and visit the temple to seek blessings for the new year.
- Vaikasi Visakam: Visit the temple, perform abhishekam and archanai for Lord Murugan, and participate in processions and cultural programs.
- Aadi Perukku: Offer prayers to the river Cauvery and celebrate the monsoon season with traditional food and dance.
- Varalakshmi Vratham: Perform puja to Goddess Lakshmi, recite the Varalakshmi Vratham story, and offer traditional sweets and fruits as prasadam.
- Avani Avittam: Change the sacred thread, perform homam, and seek blessings from the family guru.
- Ganesh Chaturthi: Install a clay idol of Lord Ganesha at home, perform puja, and immerse the idol in a nearby water body at the end of the festival.
- Navaratri: Install a golu at home, offer prayers to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, and participate in cultural programs and processions.
- Diwali: Decorate your home with lights, prepare traditional sweets and savories, burst crackers, and exchange gifts with family and friends.
- Karthigai Deepam: Light earthen lamps at home and at temples, perform abhishekam and archanai for Lord Murugan, and participate in cultural programs.
- Pongal: Prepare traditional dishes such as sakkarai pongal and ven pongal, decorate your home with kolams, and participate in bull-taming events in Tamil Nadu.
Question and Answer Section
Here are some commonly asked questions about the Tamil Calendar 2024 USA:
Q: How accurate is the Tamil Calendar 2024 USA?
A: The Tamil Calendar 2024 USA is based on the phases of the moon and is therefore highly accurate.
Q: Why is the Tamil New Year celebrated on April 14th?
A: April 14th marks the beginning of the solar year and is therefore considered to be the Tamil New Year.
Q: What is the significance of the number nine in Navaratri?
A: The number nine represents the nine forms of Goddess Durga that are worshipped during Navaratri.
Q: What is the significance of lighting lamps during Karthigai Deepam?
A: The lamps are lit to symbolize the victory of good over evil and to seek blessings from Lord Murugan.
Conclusion
The Tamil Calendar 2024 USA is an important tool for Tamil Americans to stay connected with their culture and heritage. By celebrating the events and festivals in the calendar, we can pass on our traditions to the next generation and keep our heritage alive. I hope that this guide has given you a better understanding of the Tamil Calendar 2024 USA and the ways in which you can celebrate its events and festivals.