Why Tamil new year is being celebrated in April ?

Advance Happy Tamil new year!! Chithirai Thirunaal nal vazhthukal!!

        This post will explain about the scientific reasons behind the tamizh new year date that was chosen by our ancient ancestors, significance of tamizh calendar with zodiacs and this post will also throw some lights on why Pongal was not considered as new year, with appropriate tamizh literary references...

        

        Tamil New Year is  originally called as 'Chithirai Thirunaal ', meaning first day of Chithirai month in tamizh calendar. On this day of tamizh new year, many people from different states and countries also celebrate it as their New year. For example, Sinhala people, people from Kerala, West bengal, Assam, Punjab, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand and much more...

Every year, tamizh new year falls on Chithrai month - 1st day i.e mid of April month (13th / 14th / 15th / 16th date). With respect to the modern calendar / Gregorian calendar, tamizh new year dates will vary....

How did ancient tamizh siddhars calculate new year

         Siddhars of astronomical brilliance had precisely calculated the position of the Earth, Sun, Moon, stars and planets. They had founded a system to calculate a year for Earth, Jupiter and other planets. Tamizh calendar is the accurate and oldest calendar in the world. 

What is Tamizh calendar ?

        Ancient tamizh calendar is calculated based on the postion of the Earth (Ulagam), Sun (Suriyan) and the corresponding position of Zodiacs (Rashis). 

Why Zodiacs / Star constellations are important in tamizh calendar

    As I have mentioned earlier, the position of the Earth is calculated with respect the Zodiacs / star constellation and the Sun. Zodiacs are both complex and plays major role in astronomy, astrology and astrophysics. Let us see about the importance of zodiacs in tamil culture...

        To calculate auspicious dates for occasions like marriages, house warming ceremony etc stars play a major role. In tamil culture, an auspicious date will be fixed with respect to the tamizh month, stars and lunar days. 

For example: If a child is born on April 14th 2021 i.e Chithirai month - 1st day, then will check the birth star of the baby during the time of birth i.e Barani star occurs on that day, so baby's birth star will be barani. We will note down the birth time and birth star of the child. 

        In the next year, we will celebrate the child's birthday in Chithirai month when the birth star Barani occurs, it may not be 1st day of the month like previous year, it will occur at any day. When the barani star occurs in chithirai month, that is considered as the baby's birth day.

    So the date is not fixed, only the tamizh month and birth star is fixed to calculate birthday of a person. There are 27 stars / nakshathras in the astrology

    We do Aysuh homam (ritual) on a person's birth star, the 60th / 70th / 80th birthdays of a person will be celebrated with rituals on the birth star of a person on their birth tamizh month. Even, in temples while performing archana (personal pooja), the priests will ask for the birth star of a person and not birth dates. 

        Also, in ancient times when there was no printed calendars, people used to calculate the days, time and seasons for agricultural activities based on zodiacs and sun position. Early Pandya kings were experts in seafaring and explored many countries in the World, what navigation system did they use to sail their ships ?? 

    

        They used stars as their navigation partner. With respect to the position of the stars in the sky, they used to identify the direction and season and sail their ships accordingly. Sailors and Navy people will have more knowledge about stars, to navigate in the oceans. Thus stars are very important in our lifes. Not only for humans, stars play major role in astronomy as well!!

How the position of Earth is calculated with the Zodiacs ??

    Earth goes around the Sun in an elliptical orbit with an axial tilt of 23.5 degrees. The Earth travels in an elliptical path around the Sun through 360 degrees (Paakai in Tamil) and the time taken to complete one revolution around the Sun (Suriyan in Tamil) is called as Year (Aandu in Tamil). 

    When the Earth completes its orbit, it represents the completion of a year. Now, Earth always doesn't rotate in a same / average velocity, the velocity of the Earth differs with respect its distance from the Sun, so the number of days in a tamizh month differs when the earth transits from one place in the orbit to another. 

    Now, to calculate the complete rotation of the Earth, let us see about the elliptical path of the Earth around Sun with zodiacs in the background. Check the picture below for reference...

        In the above picture, Sun is at the center and Earth is behind the Sun. The small green colour elliptical path is the path of Earth around Sun with zodiacs at the background. 

        The circumference of the elliptical path traveled by the Earth (Ulagam in Tamil) with the Sun at the center - are divided into twelve equal arcs / angles / degrees for each zodiac. In other words, this path is taken as 360 degrees and it is divided in to 12 equal angles for 12 zodiacs, i.e each zodiac will have an angle of 30 degree. 

    The angular segments traced by each arc measuring 30 degrees is called as House (Veedu in Tamil or Rasi in Sanskrit). 

Like in the picture below, its in 2D..

Thus, the earth passes through twelve zodiacs / houses in a year. Actually, it is the Earth which enters into each Zodiac while revolving around the Sun. But, when we see it from Earth, it appears to be Sun is moving (relative motion) through zodiacs that are nearer to it. So, when the earth is moving in it's orbit, we say that the 'Sun travels through it's nearest zodiacs (rasis)'. 

In tamizh, these twelve zodiacs / houses are named as, 

1. Meda Veedu            - Mesham         - Aries

2. Idapa Veedu            - Rishibham     - Taurus

3. Mithuna Veedu       - Mithunam      - Gemini 

4. Kataka Veedu         - Katakam         - Cancer

5. Singa Veedu           - Simmam         - Leo 

6. Kanni Veedu          - Kanya             - Virgo

7. Thula Veedu          - Thulam            - Libra

8. Virutchika Veedu   - Vrichikam       - Scorpio

9. ThanuVeedu           - Dhanur           - Sagittarius

10. Makara Veedu      - Makaram        - Capricorn

11. Kumba Veedu      - Kumbham       - Aquarius 

12. Meena Veedu       - Meenam          - Pisces

Why Aries is considered as first Zodiac ? Why not other Zodiacs???

        Because, when we draw a line from Earth to Sun such that Earth's equator passes through the sun in a same line at 0 degrees, then that is considered as base to calculate the position of zodiacs. 

   The first 0 degree is called as First point of Aries, this term is mostly used by sailors and Navy people. This means, when the Earth orbits around the Sun and at a particular position Earth's equator and Sun's postion aligns in the same line, i.e the the angle between Sun and the Earth's plane of equator is 0 degrees. 

    Check the picture below for reference, where 'Line to Sun' and Equator aligns in a straight line, that point is considered as 0 degrees...

        This 0 degree is considered as starting point of the year and from here Earth's orbit is divided into12 equal parts at an angle of 30 degree for each zodiac. From this position of Earth, when we look at the zodiacs nearer to the Sun, Aries was identified as the nearest zodiac to the sun and is positioned between 0 degree and first 30 degree angle.

    Hence, Aries is considered as first zodiac and also called as First point of Aries. Like wise all other zodiacs occupies 30 degree angle in the Earth's orbit. 

Like, Aries was positioned in the sky from 0 degree to 30 degree, followed by taurus which occupies next 30 degree i.e 30 - 60 degree and it continues till 360 degree of Earth's orbit where Pisces, the last zodiac occurs at the last 30 degree position. 

How the movement of Earth with respect to Sun and Zodiac are calculated?  

  In the below picture, check the position of Sun, Earth and Zodiac (Scorpio).  This alignment represents that Sun is in Scorpio, as Scorpio is positioned at the background of Sun (When we look from the position of earth). 

        

        This means that while the Earth is rotating in it's orbit, Sun is moving from Scorpio to Sagittarius zodiac (Mid November to Mid December). Thus, the earth's orbit is divided into equal angle of 30 degree and when the Sun transits from Pisces to Aries, i.e from last zodiac to first Zodiac, it represents the completion of one full revolution of earth around the sun i.e completion of one year. 

        The period of travel of the Sun in each zodiac / house is called as 'Thingal' - a Month (also known as Maadham in Tamil and Maasa in Sanskrit). Hence, Sun travels through the twelve zodiacs or Rasis to complete one cycle, that is,  it takes twelve Thingals to complete one cycle, which is called as an 'Aandu' - a Year (also known as Varudam in Tamil and Varusha in Sanskrit). 

    The time when the Sun enters into 'Meda rasi' or 'Mesha rasi' was traditionally called as New Year by the tamizh people.

    Check out the picture below for the reference, outer circle refers to Earth orbit. So when the earth orbiting around the sun, from the position of Earth, when the sun reaches Meda / Mesha (Aries) zodiac i.e transition of Sun from Pisces to Aries marks completion of a year. This event is also called as 'Mesha Sankranthi'.

    Thus, as per tamizh calendar, we will always celebrate our new year on the next day, after the transition of sun from pisces zodiac to aries zodiac, which marks start of spring season 'Illa venil kalam', also represents the beginning season of farming.

How did the ancient people precisely divide zodiacs at 30 degrees each?

        Ancient tamizh people were experts in angles and geometry, with that knowledge they had created many architectural brilliance in India, such as Brihadeeswara temple -  where the shadow of the temple doesn't fall on the ground at noon.

Chaya someshwara temple - it was brilliantly designed with angles and geometry that though there are many intricate pillars in the temple, it's designed to cast an unified shadow which always falls on the Shiva lingam inside the sanctum, irrespective of the position of the Sun.

    That's the mastery of our ancient ancestors, who were the power house of science, geometry, astronomy, architectural and medicinal knowledge...

This method of calculation is called as sidereal solar calendar by westerners.  These zodiacs / rasi and Sun based calculation was also followed by many ancient civilization people such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, Maya, Inca etc..

Tamizh new year , Vishu (Malayalam New Year), Vaisaki (Sikh New Year), Burmese New Year (Thingyan), Cambodia New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey), Lao New Year (Songkran), Sinhalese New Year (Aluth Avurudda), Thailand New Year (Songkran), Assamese New Year (Bohag Bihu) are all celebrated on the same day.

Note: Brahui people of Pakistan also celebrate their new year on the same day of tamizhs. Brahui people are Brahui tribes who speak dravidian language and lives in Pakistan, Afghanistan and in parts of Iran. I have already mentioned in my previous posts that these countries from Pakistan to Turkey were once ruled by tamizh kings and there was an established tamizh society over there. I have also published many posts which uncovered references to the tamil civilization in persian countries.

        Now, the new year of Brahui people is adding more strength to my point that Pre Persian and Pre Indus Valley civilization belongs to tamizhs, to know more reach out to,

https://divinediyaas.blogspot.com/2020/12/kumari-kandam-part-5-pre-indus-valley.html

https://divinediyaas.blogspot.com/2021/04/ancient-tamizh-kings-and-hinduism-in-%20turkey-part2.html

Why Pongal is not considered as New year ?

    Pongal / Makar sankranthi is the day when the Sun transits into the Capricorn zodiac i.e Makara rasi. Pongal is the major harvest festival in India and in many other countries. 

During Pongal, Earth's angle with respect to Capricorn is at 300 degrees. Also, as pongal is the harvest festival, it represents the near end of the agricultural activities. After the harvest, farmers will take time to trade the crops from the field, storage plans and seasoning the land etc. This is kind of ending stage in the farming cycle, so how does it qualify to represent a beginning of a new year ???

        In Cambodia and Thailand, people celebrate their new year on mid April, stating that in the new year, new seeds will be sown thus the new year is marked as symbolic representation of beginning of a new crop.

    Also in ancient tamizhakam and Kerala, people use to harvest more millets, veggies, fruits than rice that they used to sow seeds in April - May before monsoon time. So, by both astronomically and agriculturally pongal is not considered as new year by ancient tamizhs. 

( References for tamil literature for Aries being considered as first month is mentioned in the section below)

Thus, Pongal is not considered as New year and some people with vested interest are trying to portray Pongal as new year stating that April / Chithirai new year is a vedic culture. 

        This is absurd !! I want the tamizh readers not to disown our ancient traditions founded by our genius siddhars and not to underestimate the knowledge of our ancestors. Changing the new year date is a trap to erase our identity, long lived culture, history and our knowledge !!!

        Westerners are keen on our knowledge of astrology, astronomy,  traditional home remedies, herbal medicines, yoga, significance of temples, mantra sounds, ancient architectures etc.  Already westerners are saying that the concept of sidereal solar calendar (this is exactly same as tamil calendar) was first invented  by them and are manipulating the history. Now, it's time for us to know the truth about our traditions and the science behind it !!  

Not to fall prey for the divide and rule politics of people with personal agenda!!!  

       All these knowledge about astrology and astronomy was taken by westerners from tamizh siddhars and had patented it in their names. The ancient most tamizh siddhar was Agathiyar / Agastya who had lived through all the three yugas, from Satya yuga to Dwapara yuga had calculated this zodiac and sun based system, he had also calculated the position of other planets and its cycle.

         The knowledge about astronomy, astrology are travelling across generations of tamizh people, so calculating sun's position with respect to the zodiac is not new to the tamizh people. 

       My husband's grandfather is a great astrologist, long time back he had predicted his date and time of his death, which turned out to be accurate !!  In Hinduism, before marriage, we do horoscope matching for bride and groom. My husband's grand father had predicted horoscope matching for many people and all his calculations were precise !! My grandfather was an astrophysicist, he had learnt it with much passion.

            But, recently there are some people without a complete knowledge about the astrology are trying to cheat people for their personal financial gain. The knowledge and science of astrology and astronomy are getting diluted nowadays, its time to revive the knowledge before it gets completely wiped out..

For those who are asking questions like, Why Chithirai is the first month ? Why not to consider Thai as the first month ? Wasn't thai pongal followed by our ancestors as new year ?? Here you go for the references about new year in tamizh literature....

References in tamizh literatures

        There are some literary references in tamizh which mentions that tamizh people had considered Chithirai as the first month, with respect to the transition of sun into mesha rasi. 

 Lines 160–161 of Neḍunelvāḍai, which is part of the Sangam literature, some of the earliest Tamil literature goes like this…

“திண்ணிலை மருப்பின் ஆடு தலையாக 

விண்ணூர்பு திரிதரும் வீங்கு செலல் மண்டிலம்” - 

Which basically means, “the sun that passes through various signs of the zodiac, starting with the sign indicated by a goat that has strong horns.” 

    The ‘goat that has strong horns’  refers to  Mesha Raasi / Aries.  

There are also other references in Purananooru, Tholkappiyam, Silappadhikaram and Manimekalai which are mentioning that Chithrai is the first month of a year. 

        Thus ancient tamizh people had considered Chithirai as first month and celebrated new year in chithirai month not in 'Thai' or makara month. So to the people with vested interest, do not to try to manipulate tamizh people by saying that 'Thai Pongal' is the new year and Thai is the tamil first month !!! It is absolutely a lie !!!

Some more references from tamizh literatures...

“வலிமையான கொம்பை உடைய ஆடு (மேழம்/மேடம்) முதலான உடுத்தொகுதிகளின் ஊடாகச் சூரியன் இயங்கும் வான் மண்டலம்” என்பதாகும்.

        Tamil Literature Nedunalvaadai says that Aries is the first zodiac Month from which the Sun transits from pisces and enters into Aries. Hence, the tamizh calendar is based on sidereal solar calendar and Chithirai is the first month. Here are some of the festivals which are being celebrated with much pomp and vigour during Chithirai month.

Chithirai Thiruvizha - a 30 days festival in Chithirai, which is the longest festival in the World, where first 15 days are attributed to Goddess Meenakshi, daughter of Pandya king who marries Lord Shiva. The next 15 days are attributed to Lord Vishnu as 'Alagar'.

Chithra Pournami - This pournami (Full moon) will always falls on 'Chithra' star. This combination of Chithra star on full moon day in chithirai month was never changed over the years. This chithra pournami is celebrated more grandeur than full moons of other months, such was the importance given to this month. Also, usually this full moon on Chithirai will be more bigger and brighter than the full moons of other months...

        In this post, I have only explained about the calculation of tamizh new year date, but there are much more aspects in this tamizh calendar.  The significance of tamizh calendar, the accuracy of tamizh calendar with respect to Gregorian and Julian calendars and why Ugadi (telugu new year) and tamizh new year are falling in different dates, all these will be explained in detail in my future posts..

- Aarthi Thiyagarajan