Understanding Thala - The Traditional Tamil Calendar

Thala (Tamil: தல) is a traditional Tamil calendar used in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and by Tamil people around the world. It is based on the lunar cycle and consists of two parts: the solar year (called "Purattaasi" or "Purattasi") and the lunar year (called "Thai"). The Thai month is divided into two parts: the first 15 days are called "Pournami" (full moon) and the last 15 days are called "Amavasya" (new moon).

The Thala calendar is used to determine important dates such as festivals, weddings, and other cultural events. It is also used in astrology and horoscope predictions. The Thala calendar is based on the positions of the sun, moon, and planets at the time of the Tamil New Year, which falls on April 14th or 15th.

There are several different Thala calendars, each with its own set of rules and traditions. Some of the most popular Thala calendars include the "Vikrami" calendar, which is used by Hindus, and the "Thiruvalluvar" calendar, which is used by Tamil Muslims.

Overall, the Thala calendar is an important part of Tamil culture and is widely used in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil people around the world. It provides a framework for organizing important events and activities, as well as for making astrological predictions and determining auspicious times for various activities.