Tamil Fastings and Importance

Amavasai
This marks the new moon day. The moon, which is one of the Nava Grahas denoted as CHANDRAN, is considered as a deity who showers blessings of prosperity and good health. This occurs once every month, usually a fortnight after Pournami. The Amavasai, which occurs in the month of Puratasi, that is the end of September and the beginning of October, is considered of special importance and celebrated as Mahaliya Amavasai. Fasting during this day brings peace to the belated and ancestors. It is a ritual to give Annadhanam (food) to Brahmins on this day.

Chadurthi
Chadurthi is a day of importance for Lord Vinayaga, and is considered auspicious to initiate any new endeavor, job or project. This occurs twice every month once during the growing moon period and once during the waning moon period. The Chadurthi, which falls during the growing moon period, is known as Sangadahara Chadurthi and is considered more auspicious than the other. The main Chadurthi called Sri Vinayaga Chadurthi occurs during the month of September in the growing moon period and is celebrated with pomp and splendor in Bombay, Madras, Pune, Calcutta and other parts of India. During this festival large decorated idols of Sri Vinayaga are drowned in the rivers and lakes to mark the occasion.

Karthigai
This day denotes the occurrence of the Karthigai Nakshatram every month, as per the Tamil Calendar. On this day a special seva and pooja takes place at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple and free lunch is offered to the devotees at the Kalyana Mandapam. The Karthigai Nakshatram is of great importance to Sri Murugan, as it is considered as his birth star. When it falls on a Monday, and occurs during the month of Karthigai, it is considered especially sacred, and devotees undertake fasts and special prayers to seek the Lord’s blessings. The occurrence of Karthigai Nakshatram in the month of Karthigai is celebrated as Thiru Karthigai. Hindus decorate their homes and alters with little oil lamps to celebrate this day, which marks the death of a historic Rakshasan (Demon).

Pournami
This marks the full moon day. The moon, which is one of the Nava Grahas denoted as CHANDRAN, is considered as a deity who showers blessings of prosperity and good health. This occurs once every month, usually a fortnight after Amavasai. The Pournami, which occurs during the month of Chithirai, that is the beginning of May is considered of special importance and celebrated as Chitra Pournami by South Indians.

Pradhosham
Pradhosham occurs twice a month - once during the Growing Moon Period and the other during the Waning Moon Period. This denotes the meeting of the Sun and the Moon in a Horizontal Line during the course of movement on their Axis.

Siva Rathri
Siva Rathri is of special importance to the Lord Siva. This also occurs once every month, the date depending upon the position of the grahas (planets).
Not many people undertake any special prayers on this day. But specifically, Maha Siva Ratri, which occurs during the month of Maasi, (last half of February and the first half of March) is celebrated with great pomp by some groups of people

Thaipusam
A festival occurring in the Tamil month Thai (January-February), the day of the star Pusam around Pournami (Full Moon) is celebrated as Thai Pusam. It is a special day for worship of Lord Muruga (also known as Subrahmanya or Thendayuthapani) and is celebrated in a very grand manner at all Murugan temples, especially at the 'Aaru Padai Veedu' of Murugan (These are six temples in India especially dedicated to Lord Muruga). This festival honours Muruga or Subramanya, the son of Shiva. There are several legends about this festival.