Faith Column | April 15, 2026

The Tamil New Year is ushered in with the reading and hearing of the panchangam (almanac). What was once a daily ritual has now become an annual aspect, factored in by many people alongside temple visits, seeking the blessings of gurus and elders. It is important to listen to the reading of the almanac by spiritual scholars in temples on Tamil New Year’s day, said B. Damodara Deekshithar. Bhagawan, being the lord of time, conducts everything meticulously and the almanac gives a sneak peek into what lies ahead for one in the coming months.

Our ancestors calculated time based on the movement of the stars and the planets, preparing the blueprint for the almanac. Five aspects are taken into consideration in preparing the panchangam. These are tithi (the movement of the moon vis-à-vis the sun and the intervening days between them), vaaram (seven days), the stars (numbering 27), yogam and karanam (12 hours in a day). Each of these aspects hold a clue to how the day would be. For example, during siddha yogam and amrita yogam on a given day, one can undertake auspicious activities but avoid the same during the inauspicious marana yogam. By reading the almanac every day, one can have an extended lifeline (healthy), negate one’s sins, overcome ill health and achieve one’s targets.