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