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Telugu Month Names — All 12 Months in Telugu Calendar & English

Telugu month names follow the traditional Hindu lunisolar calendar, which is widely used in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for festivals, rituals, and cultural events. The 12 Telugu months are: Chaitra (చైత్రం), Vaishakha (వైశాఖం), Jyeshtha (జ్యేష్ఠం), Ashadha (ఆషాఢం), Shravana (శ్రావణం), Bhadrapada (భాద్రపదం), Ashwayuja (ఆశ్వయుజం), Karthika (కార్తీకం), Margashira (మార్గశిరం), Pushya (పుష్యం), Magha (మాఘం), and Phalguna (ఫాల్గుణం). The Telugu New Year (Ugadi) begins in Chaitra, which falls around March–April. This guide covers all 12 Telugu month names with Telugu script, English equivalents, seasons, major festivals, and a complete comparison chart.

Question (Click to Flip)

What are the 12 Telugu month names?

Answer

The 12 Telugu month names are: 1. Chaitra (చైత్రం) — Mar–Apr, 2. Vaishakha (వైశాఖం) — Apr–May, 3. Jyeshtha (జ్యేష్ఠం) — May–Jun, 4. Ashadha (ఆషాఢం) — Jun–Jul, 5. Shravana (శ్రావణం) — Jul–Aug, 6. Bhadrapada (భాద్రపదం) — Aug–Sep, 7. Ashwayuja (ఆశ్వయుజం) — Sep–Oct, 8. Karthika (కార్తీకం) — Oct–Nov, 9. Margashira (మార్గశిరం) — Nov–Dec, 10. Pushya (పుష్యం) — Dec–Jan, 11. Magha (మాఘం) — Jan–Feb, 12. Phalguna (ఫాల్గుణం) — Feb–Mar.

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Key Facts

The 12 Telugu months are: Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashwayuja, Karthika, Margashira, Pushya, Magha, Phalguna.

Telugu New Year (Ugadi) begins on the 1st day of Chaitra (March–April).

The Telugu calendar is lunisolar — based on both moon phases and solar position.

6 seasons (Ruthuvulu): Vasantha (Spring), Greeshma (Summer), Varsha (Monsoon), Sharath (Autumn), Hemantha (Pre-Winter), Shishira (Winter).

Each month has 2 fortnights: Shukla Paksha (waxing/bright) and Krishna Paksha (waning/dark).

Telugu months start mid-way through English months, not on the 1st.

Major festivals: Ugadi (Chaitra), Vinayaka Chavithi (Bhadrapada), Dasara (Ashwayuja), Deepavali (Karthika), Sankranti (Pushya).

Telugu months in Telugu: చైత్రం, వైశాఖం, జ్యేష్ఠం, ఆషాఢం, శ్రావణం, భాద్రపదం, ఆశ్వయుజం, కార్తీకం, మార్గశిరం, పుష్యం, మాఘం, ఫాల్గుణం.

Telugu Month Names — Complete List

Here are all 12 months of the Telugu calendar with Telugu script and approximate English month equivalents:

  1. చైత్రం (Chaitra) — March–April
  2. వైశాఖం (Vaishakha) — April–May
  3. జ్యేష్ఠం (Jyeshtha) — May–June
  4. ఆషాఢం (Ashadha) — June–July
  5. శ్రావణం (Shravana) — July–August
  6. భాద్రపదం (Bhadrapada) — August–September
  7. ఆశ్వయుజం (Ashwayuja) — September–October
  8. కార్తీకం (Karthika) — October–November
  9. మార్గశిరం (Margashira) — November–December
  10. పుష్యం (Pushya) — December–January
  11. మాఘం (Magha) — January–February
  12. ఫాల్గుణం (Phalguna) — February–March

Note: Telugu months do not align exactly with English months because the Telugu calendar is lunisolar (based on both moon phases and solar position). Each Telugu month starts around the middle of an English month.

Telugu Months with Seasons (Ruthuvulu / ఋతువులు)

The Telugu calendar divides the year into 6 seasons (Ruthuvulu), with 2 months in each season:

  1. Vasantha Ruthuvu (వసంత ఋతువు) — Spring • Chaitra (చైత్రం) — March–April • Vaishakha (వైశాఖం) — April–May • Weather: Pleasant, flowers bloom, moderate temperatures

  2. Greeshma Ruthuvu (గ్రీష్మ ఋతువు) — Summer • Jyeshtha (జ్యేష్ఠం) — May–June • Ashadha (ఆషాఢం) — June–July • Weather: Hot and dry, peak summer heat

  3. Varsha Ruthuvu (వర్ష ఋతువు) — Monsoon/Rainy • Shravana (శ్రావణం) — July–August • Bhadrapada (భాద్రపదం) — August–September • Weather: Heavy rains, monsoon season

  4. Sharath Ruthuvu (శరత్ ఋతువు) — Autumn • Ashwayuja (ఆశ్వయుజం) — September–October • Karthika (కార్తీకం) — October–November • Weather: Clear skies, moderate temperatures

  5. Hemantha Ruthuvu (హేమంత ఋతువు) — Pre-Winter • Margashira (మార్గశిరం) — November–December • Pushya (పుష్యం) — December–January • Weather: Cool, early winter begins

  6. Shishira Ruthuvu (శిశిర ఋతువు) — Winter • Magha (మాఘం) — January–February • Phalguna (ఫాల్గుణం) — February–March • Weather: Cold, end of winter

Telugu Months and Major Festivals

Each Telugu month has important festivals and celebrations:

  1. Chaitra (చైత్రం) — March–April • Ugadi (ఉగాది) — Telugu New Year (1st day of Chaitra) • Sri Rama Navami — Lord Rama's birthday

  2. Vaishakha (వైశాఖం) — April–May • Akshaya Tritiya • Buddha Purnima

  3. Jyeshtha (జ్యేష్ఠం) — May–June • Eruvaka Purnima

  4. Ashadha (ఆషాఢం) — June–July • Ashada Ekadashi (Devshayani Ekadashi) • Bonalu festival begins

  5. Shravana (శ్రావణం) — July–August • Varalakshmi Vratam • Raksha Bandhan • Naga Panchami

  6. Bhadrapada (భాద్రపదం) — August–September • Vinayaka Chavithi (Ganesh Chaturthi) • Krishna Janmashtami

  7. Ashwayuja (ఆశ్వయుజం) — September–October • Dasara / Vijayadashami (Navaratri) • Bathukamma festival

  8. Karthika (కార్తీకం) — October–November • Deepavali (Diwali) • Karthika Purnima (Karthika Deepotsavam)

  9. Margashira (మార్గశిరం) — November–December • Karthika Somavaram • Geeta Jayanti

  10. Pushya (పుష్యం) — December–January • Bhogi, Sankranti (Makara Sankranti) • Kanuma

  11. Magha (మాఘం) — January–February • Maha Shivaratri • Ratha Saptami

  12. Phalguna (ఫాల్గుణం) — February–March • Holi (Holika festival) • Phalguna Purnima

Telugu Calendar vs English Calendar — Comparison

Telugu Month | Telugu Script | English Months | Season Chaitra | చైత్రం | March–April | Spring (Vasantha) Vaishakha | వైశాఖం | April–May | Spring (Vasantha) Jyeshtha | జ్యేష్ఠం | May–June | Summer (Greeshma) Ashadha | ఆషాఢం | June–July | Summer (Greeshma) Shravana | శ్రావణం | July–August | Monsoon (Varsha) Bhadrapada | భాద్రపదం | August–September | Monsoon (Varsha) Ashwayuja | ఆశ్వయుజం | September–October | Autumn (Sharath) Karthika | కార్తీకం | October–November | Autumn (Sharath) Margashira | మార్గశిరం | November–December | Pre-Winter (Hemantha) Pushya | పుష్యం | December–January | Pre-Winter (Hemantha) Magha | మాఘం | January–February | Winter (Shishira) Phalguna | ఫాల్గుణం | February–March | Winter (Shishira)

Key differences: • Telugu calendar is lunisolar; English (Gregorian) calendar is purely solar • Telugu months start around the middle of English months (not the 1st) • Telugu New Year (Ugadi) falls in March–April, not January • Telugu months are based on lunar phases (Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha) • Each Telugu month has about 29.5 days (lunar cycle)

Telugu Calendar — Paksha System (Fortnights)

Each Telugu month is divided into two pakshas (fortnights) based on the moon's phases:

  1. Shukla Paksha (శుక్ల పక్షం) — Bright/Waxing Fortnight • From Amavasya (New Moon) to Purnima (Full Moon) • 15 tithis (lunar days): Padyami to Purnima • Considered auspicious for new beginnings • Moon grows larger each day

  2. Krishna Paksha (కృష్ణ పక్షం) — Dark/Waning Fortnight • From Purnima (Full Moon) to Amavasya (New Moon) • 15 tithis: Padyami to Amavasya • Moon becomes smaller each day

Tithis (తిథులు) — Lunar Days:

  1. Padyami (పాడ్యమి)
  2. Vidiya (విదియ)
  3. Tadiya (తదియ)
  4. Chavithi (చవితి)
  5. Panchami (పంచమి)
  6. Shashthi (షష్ఠి)
  7. Saptami (సప్తమి)
  8. Ashtami (అష్టమి)
  9. Navami (నవమి)
  10. Dashami (దశమి)
  11. Ekadashi (ఏకాదశి)
  12. Dwadashi (ద్వాదశి)
  13. Trayodashi (త్రయోదశి)
  14. Chaturdashi (చతుర్దశి)
  15. Purnima (పూర్ణిమ) or Amavasya (అమావాస్య)

Example: Vinayaka Chavithi falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Chavithi (4th day of bright fortnight of Bhadrapada month).

English Month Names in Telugu Script

For reference, here are the 12 English (Gregorian) month names written in Telugu script:

  1. January — జనవరి (Janavari)
  2. February — ఫిబ్రవరి (Phibravari)
  3. March — మార్చి (Maarchi)
  4. April — ఏప్రిల్ (Epril)
  5. May — మే (Mē)
  6. June — జూన్ (Jūn)
  7. July — జూలై (Jūlai)
  8. August — ఆగస్టు (Āgastu)
  9. September — సెప్టెంబర్ (Sepṭembar)
  10. October — అక్టోబర్ (Akṭōbar)
  11. November — నవంబర్ (Navambar)
  12. December — డిసెంబర్ (Ḍisembar)

In daily life in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: • Official and business use: English (Gregorian) calendar • Festivals, rituals, and religious events: Telugu (Hindu lunisolar) calendar • Telugu panchangam (పంచాంగం) is consulted for auspicious dates, muhurtams (good times), and festival dates • Both calendars are used simultaneously in everyday life

Questions and Answers

What are the 12 Telugu month names?+

The 12 Telugu month names are: 1. Chaitra (చైత్రం) — Mar–Apr, 2. Vaishakha (వైశాఖం) — Apr–May, 3. Jyeshtha (జ్యేష్ఠం) — May–Jun, 4. Ashadha (ఆషాఢం) — Jun–Jul, 5. Shravana (శ్రావణం) — Jul–Aug, 6. Bhadrapada (భాద్రపదం) — Aug–Sep, 7. Ashwayuja (ఆశ్వయుజం) — Sep–Oct, 8. Karthika (కార్తీకం) — Oct–Nov, 9. Margashira (మార్గశిరం) — Nov–Dec, 10. Pushya (పుష్యం) — Dec–Jan, 11. Magha (మాఘం) — Jan–Feb, 12. Phalguna (ఫాల్గుణం) — Feb–Mar.

When does the Telugu New Year start?+

The Telugu New Year (Ugadi / ఉగాది) starts on the first day of Chaitra month, which falls around March–April in the English calendar. It marks the beginning of the Telugu lunisolar calendar year. Ugadi is celebrated with special foods (Ugadi Pachadi with six tastes), new clothes, and reading the yearly Panchangam.

What are the 6 seasons in the Telugu calendar?+

The 6 Telugu seasons (Ruthuvulu) are: (1) Vasantha (Spring) — Chaitra, Vaishakha. (2) Greeshma (Summer) — Jyeshtha, Ashadha. (3) Varsha (Monsoon) — Shravana, Bhadrapada. (4) Sharath (Autumn) — Ashwayuja, Karthika. (5) Hemantha (Pre-Winter) — Margashira, Pushya. (6) Shishira (Winter) — Magha, Phalguna. Each season has 2 months.

How is the Telugu calendar different from the English calendar?+

The Telugu calendar is lunisolar (based on moon and sun), while the English (Gregorian) calendar is purely solar. Telugu months start mid-way through English months. Telugu New Year is in March–April (not January). Each Telugu month has ~29.5 days and is divided into 2 fortnights (Shukla and Krishna Paksha). Telugu months are named differently and follow the traditional Hindu calendar.

What is Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha?+

Each Telugu month is divided into two pakshas: Shukla Paksha (శుక్ల పక్షం) is the bright/waxing fortnight from New Moon to Full Moon — the moon grows larger. Krishna Paksha (కృష్ణ పక్షం) is the dark/waning fortnight from Full Moon to New Moon — the moon shrinks. Each paksha has 15 tithis (lunar days).

In which Telugu month does Sankranti fall?+

Makara Sankranti falls in Pushya month (పుష్యం), around January 14–15. It is a 3-day harvest festival: Bhogi (day 1 — burning old items), Sankranti (day 2 — main festival with rangoli and pongal), and Kanuma (day 3 — celebrating cattle). It marks the sun's transition into Makara Rashi (Capricorn).

In which Telugu month does Dasara fall?+

Dasara (Vijayadashami) falls in Ashwayuja month (ఆశ్వయుజం), around September–October. The 9-day Navaratri celebrations lead up to Vijayadashami on the 10th day. In Telangana, the Bathukamma flower festival is also celebrated during this month.

What is a Telugu Panchangam?+

A Telugu Panchangam (పంచాంగం) is the traditional Telugu almanac/calendar that provides daily information about: (1) Tithi — lunar day, (2) Vaaram — weekday, (3) Nakshatram — star/constellation, (4) Yogam — auspicious combination, (5) Karanam — half of tithi. It is used to determine festival dates, auspicious muhurtams (timings), and important occasions like weddings.

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