March 2026 is a transition month in the Tamil calendar. It opens in Maasi and moves into Panguni, the twelfth and final month of the traditional Tamil year, around the middle of the month. This Tamil Calendar March 2026 guide lists every important festival, vratham, and muhurtham date for the month based on the Tamil Panchangam, so you can plan poojas, fasting days, and family functions without confusion.
Along with the usual Amavasai, Pournami, Ekadashi, and Pradosham dates, this guide also covers Karadaiyan Nombu and the start of Panguni Masam — two events that many quick calendar listings skip, even though they matter a great deal to Tamil households.
Tamil Calendar Festivals and Muhurtham Dates – March 2026
| Date | Day | Tamil Month | Festival / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1 | Sunday | Maasi | Ravi Pradosham |
| Mar 3 | Tuesday | Maasi | Pournami (Full Moon) – Holi |
| Mar 6 | Friday | Maasi | Sankatahara Chaturthi |
| Mar 14 | Saturday | Maasi (last day) | Karadaiyan Nombu |
| Mar 15 | Sunday | Panguni begins | Panguni Masam starts; Ekadashi (Papamochani) |
| Mar 16 | Monday | Panguni | Soma Pradosham |
| Mar 18 | Wednesday | Panguni | Amavasai (New Moon – Tarpanam Day) |
| Mar 22 | Sunday | Panguni | Vinayaka Chaturthi |
| Mar 24 | Tuesday | Panguni | Sashti Vratham (Skanda Sashti) |
| Mar 29 | Sunday | Panguni | Ekadashi (Kamada) |
| Mar 30 | Monday | Panguni | Soma Pradosham |
Note: Panguni Uthiram, the most important wedding muhurtham of the Tamil year, does not fall in March 2026. It arrives just after, on April 1, 2026. More on this below.
Download the Tamil Calendar March 2026 PDF
A printable Tamil Calendar March 2026 PDF, covering all the festival and muhurtham dates listed above, is available for download. It’s designed to be easy to print or save to your phone, so you can check auspicious days and fasting dates at a glance through the month. As always, treat this as a quick-reference guide and confirm exact tithi timings with your local Panchangam before finalizing any function.
Maasi Gives Way to Panguni: The Month’s Big Transition
For the first two weeks of March 2026, the Tamil calendar is still in Maasi, the eleventh month. Maasi closes on March 14, and Panguni, the twelfth and last month of the traditional Tamil year, begins on March 15, 2026.
Panguni carries special weight because it is the closing month before Tamil New Year (Puthandu), which falls in mid-April. In many parts of Tamil Nadu, this makes Panguni a month of both reflection and preparation — old tasks are wrapped up, homes are cleaned, and families start looking ahead to the new year. The sun’s movement through Meena rasi (Pisces) during this period is also tied to agricultural and temple calendars across South India.
Karadaiyan Nombu (March 14, 2026)
Karadaiyan Nombu falls on the last day of Maasi, right before Panguni begins, making it March 14, 2026 this year. It is one of the most widely observed vrathams among Tamil women, both married and unmarried, who fast for the wellbeing and long life of their husbands or future husbands.
The ritual centers on a sacred thread (kayiru) tied around the neck while reciting a vow, along with an offering of adai (a savoury rice-and-lentil cake) and aval (flattened rice) with jaggery. The nombu is broken only after the ritual is complete, usually by mid-morning. Despite its importance in Tamil households, this observance is often left out of general calendar listings, which is why it deserves a clear mention here.
Pournami – Full Moon Day and Holi (March 3, 2026)
The Pournami (full moon) in March 2026 falls on Tuesday, March 3, coinciding with Holi this year. Pournami days are considered auspicious for temple visits, Sathyanarayana pooja, and Lakshmi worship. Many households also observe a light fast or visit a Vishnu or Shiva temple on this day.
Amavasai – New Moon and Tarpanam Day (March 18, 2026)
Amavasai (new moon) falls on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, marking the Chaitra Amavasai in the wider Hindu calendar. This is the day set aside for Tarpanam — offerings made to ancestors — and is considered one of the most important days in the month for pitru-related rituals. Many families also avoid starting new ventures or travel on Amavasai, following long-standing local custom.
Ekadashi Fasting Days in March 2026
March 2026 has two Ekadashi fasting days:
- March 15 (Sunday) – Papamochani Ekadashi, observed in the waning (Krishna Paksha) fortnight
- March 29 (Sunday) – Kamada Ekadashi, observed in the waxing (Shukla Paksha) fortnight
Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the most widely followed fasting days across Tamil Nadu. Devotees typically avoid grains and cereals on this day, breaking the fast only the next morning after sunrise, in what is known as Parana.
Pradosham Vratham Days – A Rare Three Pradoshams This Month
March 2026 brings an unusual bonus: three Pradosham days instead of the usual two, because of how the lunar fortnight lines up this month.
- March 1 (Sunday) – Ravi Pradosham
- March 16 (Monday) – Soma Pradosham
- March 30 (Monday) – Soma Pradosham
Pradosham is observed on the Trayodashi tithi (thirteenth lunar day) and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The most favourable window for worship is the Pradosha Kaalam — roughly one and a half hours before and after sunset. With two of this month’s three Pradoshams falling on a Monday, devotees will treat them as Soma Pradosham, considered especially dear to Lord Shiva.
Chaturthi Days: Sankatahara and Vinayaka Chaturthi
Ganesha worship has two Chaturthi days in March 2026:
- March 6 (Friday) – Sankatahara Chaturthi, in the waning fortnight
- March 22 (Sunday) – Vinayaka Chaturthi, in the waxing fortnight
Sankatahara Chaturthi is observed with a fast that continues until moonrise, while Vinayaka Chaturthi is considered a favourable day to begin new work or ventures. Both days are dedicated to seeking Lord Ganesha’s blessings for the removal of obstacles.
Sashti Vratham / Skanda Sashti (March 24, 2026)
Sashti Vratham falls on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, dedicated to Lord Murugan (Skanda/Kartikeya). This is a popular fasting day across Tamil Nadu, with devotees visiting Arupadai Veedu temples such as Palani, Tiruchendur, and Swamimalai. Many temples conduct special abhishekams and kavadi processions on this day, and reciting the Skanda Sashti Kavasam is considered especially meritorious.
Good Days for Marriage, Housewarming and New Beginnings
Panguni is traditionally treated with some caution for new beginnings, since it is the closing month of the Tamil year and many families prefer to hold major functions either before Maasi ends or after Puthandu (Tamil New Year) begins in April. Within March 2026 itself, families typically lean on Vinayaka Chaturthi (March 22) or specific nakshatra-based muhurtham windows checked against their own horoscope rather than treating the whole month as uniformly auspicious.
The one clear exception is Panguni Uthiram, which, as noted earlier, falls just after March on April 1, 2026. If you are planning a wedding, Griha Pravesham, or business launch around this period, it is worth checking your family Panchangam or consulting a purohit for the exact nakshatra and rasi-based muhurtham suited to those involved, rather than relying on a general calendar date alone.
Panguni Uthiram — Just Around the Corner (April 1, 2026)
While Panguni Uthiram does not fall within March 2026, it arrives immediately after, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, when the full moon coincides with Uthiram (Uttara Phalguni) nakshatra. This is considered the most sacred wedding day in the Tamil calendar, commemorating the divine marriages of Shiva-Parvati, Rama-Sita, and Murugan-Deivanai. Murugan temples across Tamil Nadu, particularly Tiruchendur, Palani, and Thirupparankundram, host their largest annual celebrations around this date. If you’re tracking March festivals, keep this date marked for the first week of April.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the major Tamil festivals in March 2026? March 2026 includes Pournami/Holi (Mar 3), Sankatahara Chaturthi (Mar 6), Karadaiyan Nombu (Mar 14), the start of Panguni month (Mar 15), Amavasai (Mar 18), Vinayaka Chaturthi (Mar 22), and Sashti Vratham (Mar 24), along with three Pradosham days and two Ekadashi fasting days.
When does Panguni month start in 2026? Panguni, the last month of the Tamil calendar, begins on Sunday, March 15, 2026, and continues until mid-April, ending just before Tamil New Year (Puthandu).
How many Pradosham days are there in March 2026? March 2026 has three Pradosham days — March 1, March 16, and March 30 — which is one more than the usual two due to how the lunar fortnight falls this month.
Is Panguni Uthiram in March 2026? No. Panguni Uthiram falls on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, just after the end of March.
What is Karadaiyan Nombu? Karadaiyan Nombu is a Tamil vratham observed by women on the transition day between Maasi and Panguni months (March 14, 2026 this year), involving a sacred thread ritual and an offering of adai and aval for the wellbeing of the family.
Which Ekadashi dates fall in March 2026? Papamochani Ekadashi falls on March 15, and Kamada Ekadashi falls on March 29, 2026.