Every culture has significant dates on its calendar that give us insights into its customs and traditions. As such, understanding the Telugu calendar can be helpful whether you’re planning a trip or want to know more about regional traditions. What’s more, everyone looks forward to the festivals and holidays that come every month, right?
In this post, you’ll learn all about the Telugu calendar, such as terminology for the days and months, holidays and celebrations, and some helpful vocabulary. Let’s get started.
Table Of Contents
The Telugu Calendar
The Telugu calendar, or Panchangam, is a lunisolar calendar used by people in Telugu-speaking regions, such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, for religious purposes, to determine festival dates and ceremonies, and similar occasions.
It’s used alongside the Gregorian calendar (the one that runs from January to December), which serves official purposes, businesses, education, and such.
Months In The Telugu Calendar
The Telugu calendar has twelve months, each divided into two sections. The first phase, known as Shukla Paksha, concludes with the full moon. The second, Krishna Paksha, ends with the new moon.
These are the names of the months in the Telugu calendar and their corresponding periods in the Gregorian calendar.
| English | Telugu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| March-April | చైత్రము | Chaithramu |
| April-May | వైశాఖం | Vaisaakhamu |
| May-June | జ్యేష్ఠ | Jyeshtta |
| June-July | ఆషాఢం | Aashaadhamu |
| July-August | శ్రావణం | Sraavanam |
| August-September | భాద్రపదము | Bhaadhrapadamu |
| September-October | ఆశ్వీయుజము | Aasveeyujamu |
| October-November | కార్తికము | Kaarthikamu |
| November-December | మార్గశీర్షము | Maargaseershamu |
| December-January | పుష్యము | Pushyamu |
| January-February | మాఖము | Maakhamu |
| February-March | ఫాల్గుణము | Phaalgunamu |
Days In The Telugu Calendar
Now that we know the months, let’s learn the names for the days of the week in Telugu.
| English | Telugu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | సోమవారం | Somavaram |
| Tuesday | మంగళవారం | Mangalavaram |
| Wednesday | బుధవారం | Budhavaram |
| Thursday | గురువారం | Guruvaram |
| Friday | శుక్రవారం | Sukravaram |
| Saturday | శనివారం | Sanivaram |
| Sunday | అదివారం | Aadhivaram |
Important Telugu Holidays And Festivals
The Telugu calendar has at least one celebration per month. Here’s a list of its festivals and holidays.
March-April: Chaitra
- Ugadi (ఉగాది): This is the name of the Telugu new year.
- Sri Rama Navami (శ్రీ రామ నవమి): The Birth of Lord Rama.
- Hanuman Jayanti (హనుమాన్ జయంతి): The Birth of Lord Hanuman.
April-May: Vaishakha
- Akshaya Tritiya (అక్షయ తృతీయ): An auspicious day for new beginnings
- Narasimha Jayanti (నరసింహ జయంతి): Birth of Lord Narasimha.
May-June: Jyeshtha
- Ganga Dussehra (గంగా దశరా): Celebrating the descent of the Ganges.
- Nirjala Ekadashi (నిర్జల ఏకాదశి): Fasting without water.
June-July: Ashadha
- Bonalu (బోనాలు): A festival celebrated in Telangana to honor the Goddess Mahakali.
- Guru Purnima (గురు పౌర్ణమి): Honoring spiritual and academic teachers.
- Ashadha Amavasya (ఆషాఢ అమావాస్య): New moon day during Ashadha.
July-August: Shravana
- Independence Day: Celebrates the day in which India won its freedom, on August 15, 1947, following ninety years of British domination.
- Varalakshmi Vratam (వరలక్ష్మీ వ్రతం): Worship of Goddess Lakshmi.
- Nagula Chavithi (నాగుల చవితి): Worship of Serpent Gods.
- Raksha Bandhan (రాఖీ పౌర్ణమి): Celebrating the bond between siblings.
- Krishna Janmashtami (కృష్ణాష్టమి): Birth of Lord Krishna.
August-September: Bhadrapada
- Vinayaka Chavithi (వినాయక చవితి): Ganesh Chaturthi, the birth of Lord Ganesha.
- Ananta Chaturdashi (అనంత చతుర్దశి): Worship of Lord Vishnu.
- Mahalaya Amavasya (మహాలయ అమావాస్య): Day in which ancestral rites are performed.
September-October: Ashwayuja
- Teachers’ Day: In India, September 5th is celebrated as Teachers’ Day.
- Gandhi Jayanti: It occurs yearly on October 2 in honor of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s birthday, also known as Mahatma Gandhi, a notable leader in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
- Durga Navaratri (దుర్గా నవరాత్రి): Nine days of worship dedicated to the Goddess Durga.
- Vijayadashami (విజయదశమి): Celebration of the victory of good over evil.
- Deepavali (దీపావళి): Festival of lights.
October-November: Kartika
- Kartik Purnima (కార్తీక పౌర్ణమి): A significant day for religious observances.
- Tulasi Vivaham (తులసి వివాహం): Ritual marriage of a Tulasi plant to Lord Vishnu.
November-December: Margashirsha
- Subrahmanya Shashti (సుబ్రహ్మణ్య షష్ఠి): Worship of Lord Subrahmanya (Kartikeya).
- Vaikuntha Ekadashi (వైకుంఠ ఏకాదశి): A significant day for Vishnu devotees.
- Dhanurmasa Vratam (ధనుర్మాస వ్రతం): Rituals performed during the month of Dhanurmasa.
December-January: Pushya
- Bhogi (భోగి): The day before Makar Sankranti, marking the end of winter.
- Makar Sankranti (మకర సంక్రాంతి): Harvest festival celebrating the sun’s journey northward.
- Kanuma (కనుమ): The day after Makar Sankranti, celebrated with cattle worship.
- Republic Day: Celebrated in India on January 26th to remember when the Constitution was adopted. This day honors India’s fight for independence and the creation of a sovereign state, displaying unity in variety, rich cultural diversity, and democratic values.
January-February: Magha
- Ratha Saptami (రథ సప్తమి): Worship of the Sun God.
- Bhishma Ekadashi (భీష్మ ఏకాదశి): Observance in honor of Bhishma from the Mahabharata.
- Maha Shivaratri (మహా శివరాత్రి): Night dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva.
February-March: Phalguna
- Holika Dahanam (హోలికా దహనం): The burning of the demon Holika, marking the victory of good over evil.
- Holi (హోలీ): Festival of colors.
- Phalguna Powrnami (ఫాల్గున పౌర్ణమి): Full moon day in the month of Phalguna.
How Do You Say ‘Calendar’ In Telugu?
The Telugu calendar is called Panchangam (పంచాంగం). However, the general term for ‘calendar’ in Telugu is kyaalandar (క్యాలెండర్).
Useful Telugu Vocabulary Related To The Calendar
Here’s some vocabulary that will be handy if you’re learning the Telugu language.
| English | Telugu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Time | సమయం | Samayam |
| Date | తేది | Tedhi |
| Hour | గంట | Ganta |
| Minute | నిముషం | Nimusham |
| Seconds | సెకండ్లు | Secondlu |
| Year | సంవత్సరం | Savatsaram |
| Month | నెల | Nela |
Telugu Calendar FAQ’s
How Does The Telugu Calendar Work?
The Telugu calendar has 12 months and is divided into two lunar phases. It incorporates both solar and lunar cycles and has a leap month added periodically. It’s fundamental for marking religious observances and festivals.
Are Telugu Months Named Based On Ancient Lunar Cycles?
Yes! The ancient solar and lunar cycles are the basis for the Telugu months’ names. The Telugu calendar is based on Sanskrit, and each month corresponds to a certain cycle of the seasons and agriculture.
How Do You Say ‘Today,’ ‘Tomorrow,’ And ‘Yesterday’ In Telugu?
In Telugu, we call ‘today’ eroju ఈరోజు, ‘tomorrow’ repu (రేపు), and ‘yesterday’ ninna (నిన్న).
Wrapping Up
I hope this post has helped you understand the Telugu calendar and that you’ve enjoyed learning about the holidays that Telugu people like to celebrate. You can now schedule your trip to either avoid visiting during significant Telugu holidays, to stay clear of the crowds, or to join the celebrations!
If you want to learn more about this language and culture, take a look at our Telugu blog.
