Key Tamil vocabulary for festivals, traditions, and social etiquette, with brief cultural notes. Front: the Tamil word or phrase in Tamil script with romanization in parentheses. Back: English meaning and brief cultural note.
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- பொங்கல் (Pongal)
- Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival celebrated in January, marked by cooking sweet rice as an offering
- தீபாவளி (Deepaavali)
- Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated with new clothes, sweets, and lamps
- தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு (Tamil puthaandu)
- Tamil New Year, celebrated in mid-April
- கோலம் (kolam)
- A decorative pattern drawn with rice flour at the doorstep each morning for good fortune
- வணக்கம் (vaNakkam)
- A respectful greeting said with palms pressed together, used for hello and goodbye
- பெரியவர்களை மதித்தல் (periyavargaLai madhiththal)
- Respecting elders, a core value shown by touching their feet on festival days
- ஆசி (aasi)
- Blessing, given by elders to younger family members
- விருந்தோம்பல் (virundhompal)
- Hospitality; guests are traditionally treated as honored visitors, often offered food first
- காலை உணவு (kaalai uNavu)
- Breakfast, often eaten together as a family
- வலம் வருதல் (valam varudhal)
- Circumambulating a deity or sacred object clockwise as an act of devotion
- கோவில் (kovil)
- Temple, a central place for worship and community gathering
- பூஜை (poojai)
- Ritual worship performed daily at home or in a temple
- காலணிகளை கழற்று (kaalanikaLai kazhattru)
- Take off your footwear, expected before entering a home or temple
- வலது கையால் சாப்பிடுதல் (valadhu kaiyaal saappidudhal)
- Eating with the right hand, the traditional custom at meals
- வாழ்த்துக்கள் (vaazhthukkaL)
- Congratulations, greetings offered on happy occasions
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