Chithirai, the first month of the
Tamil Calendar, falls between the mid-April and mid-May in Gregorian calendar.
Chitra Vishu in this month marks the New Year for the
Dravidians. Also in Andhra, Kannada and Maratha calendars, the New Year falls in the same time. A year is calculated according to the traverse of Sun through the 12 Rasi mandalams. Hence the New Year commences on the day when the Sun moves into Mesha rasi. The business men traditionally start their annual account opening in this month.
