The Telugu calendar follows the Chandramana (lunar) system and runs from Ugadi (Telugu New Year) in March-April to the following Ugadi. Each year carries a unique name from a 60-year cycle called the Shalivahana Shaka era. The 12 months are Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashwayuja, Kartika, Margashira, Pushya, Magha, and Phalguna.

The 12 Months and Their Highlights

Chaitra (March–April) begins the year with Ugadi and Sri Rama Navami. Vaishakha (April–May) brings Akshaya Tritiya. Shravana (July–August) is the month of Varalakshmi Vratam and Naga Panchami. Bhadrapada (August–September) includes Ganesh Chaturthi and Mahalaya Paksha. Ashwayuja (September–October) hosts Navaratri and Dasara. Kartika (October–November) is the month of Diwali, Karthika Somavaram fasts, and Karthika Purnima.

Telugu Samvatsaras: The 60-Year Cycle

Each year in the Telugu calendar has a unique name — such as Vilambi, Vikari, Sharvari, Plava, Shubhakrit — from a cycle of 60 Samvatsaras. The year name is announced during Ugadi Panchanga Sravanam (the annual almanac recitation). The current year's name determines the general planetary predictions for that year.

Finding Festivals by Month

The Mana Pandit Festivals page lets you browse all Telugu religious observances month by month. Each festival shows the exact Gregorian date, the Telugu month and Tithi, and the significance of the occasion.