Tulu Calendar is one of the oldest Indian solar calendars and traditional ones still being used. In our day to day lives, most us follow the Western or Gregorian calendar that consist of twelve months from January to December. But Tuluvas have a specific calendar with our own twelve months for agriculture activities, religious activities and festivals.

A year is called as ‘varsa’ or ‘orsa’ in Tulu and Calendar is Panchanga. The first day of this calendar falls on Bisu (mid April) in ‘Paggu’ month and this day is celebrated as Bisu parba in Tulunadu. Each month has 30 to 31 days and the first day of a Tulu Month is called as Thingade or Singade. The last day known as Sankramana or Sankranthi. 

Months as per Tulu Calendar

  1. Paggu (April–May) 
  2. Beshya (May–June)
  3. Kaartel (June–July)
  4. Aati (July–August) 
  5. Sona (August–September) 
  6. Nirnaala/ Kanya (September–October) 
  7. Bontyolu (October–November) 
  8. Jaarde (November–December) 
  9. Peraarde (December–January) 
  10. Ponny/Puyinthel (January–February) 
  11. Maayi (February–March)
  12. Suggi (March–April) 

Days in the month you should know

  1. Amasae – New moon day
  2. Punnamae – Full moon day
  3. Sankramana / Sankranthi – movement of the sun from one zodiac sign to another (last day of the month)
  4. Singodae / Tingodae – The first day of each month in Tulu Calendar

 Seasons of the year

  1. Aregala (Summer)
  2. Maryala (Rainy Season)
  3. Chaligala (Winter)

Important events through the year

Paggu (April–May)

Bisu Parbha or New Year on 14th April

Beshya (May–June)

Pattanaje Tenth day of the month

Aati (July–August)

Aati Amasae, Nagara Panchami, Aati Kalenja, Agel Balasunu

Sona (August–September)

Koral Parba, Ashtami

Nirnaala / Kanya (September–October)

Chauthi, Kaveri Sankramana, Marnemi

Bontyolu (October–November)

Kodi Parba

Jaarde (November–December)

Thudar Parba (Deepawali), Tulasi Parba, Start of Kola, Kule Madime & Kambla season

Peraarde (December–January)

Nema

Ponny / Puyinthel (January–February)

Makara Sankranthi, Keddasa

Maayi (February–March)

Kangilu Nalike

Suggi (March–April)

Suggi da Sagoli

If there are important annual events missing in this article, please feel free to leave a comment.