2026 Thiruvalluvar Day
| Date | Day | Holiday | States (Clickable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jan | Fri | Thiruvalluvar Day | Puducherry & Tamil Nadu |
2027 Thiruvalluvar Day
| Date | Day | Holiday | States (Full Name) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan | Fri | Thiruvalluvar Day | Puducherry & Tamil Nadu |
2028 Thiruvalluvar Day
| Date | Day | Holiday | States (Full Name) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jan | Sun | Thiruvalluvar Day | Puducherry & Tamil Nadu |
Thiruvalluvar Day 2026: Tamil Nadu's Literary Celebration
Thiruvalluvar Day celebrates the birth anniversary of the legendary Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, author of the timeless Thirukkural. In 2026, Tamil Nadu observes this cultural festival on January 16 (Friday), coinciding with the Pongal harvest season.
📅 Festival Dates 2026
- Thiruvalluvar Day: January 16, 2026 (Friday) – Official Tamil Nadu observance
- Pongal Context: Falls on Mattu Pongal/Kanum Pongal during four-day harvest festival (Jan 14-17)
- Public Holiday: Tamil Nadu government holiday with cultural programs statewide
📜 About Thiruvalluvar
The Poet-Saint- Lifespan: 1st century BCE to 1st century CE (exact dates unknown)
- Origin: Mylapore, Chennai – temple tradition marks his birthplace
- Identity: Celebrated across Hindu, Christian, Jain, Buddhist traditions as universal sage
- Legacy: 133-foot Kanyakumari statue (world's tallest Thiruvalluvar statue)
Thirukkural - The Masterpiece
| Section | Couplets | Themes |
|---|---|---|
| Aram (Virtue) | 38 Chapters (380 couplets) | Domestic virtue, higher virtues, asceticism |
| Porul (Wealth) | 70 Chapters (700 couplets) | Governance, society, economics |
| Inbam (Love) | 25 Chapters (250 couplets) | Pre-marital love, marital love |
"Thirukkural remains relevant across millennia, guiding personal ethics, statecraft, and relationships."
🎉 Celebrations & Observance
- Cultural Programs: Schools, colleges host poetry recitations, debates, seminars
- Temple Rituals: Special poojas at Thiruvalluvar temples (Chennai, Mylapore, Kanyakumari)
- Literary Events: Kural competitions, essay writing, elocution contests
- Government Events: Chief Minister's tributes, official functions
- Community Activities: Book distribution, cultural processions
🌟 Cultural Significance
- Tamil Identity: Symbol of Tamil language, literature, and philosophical heritage
- Universal Values: Thirukkural's ethics transcend religion and nationality
- Educational Focus: Tamil Nadu schools teach Kural from primary level
- Global Recognition: Translated into 80+ languages worldwide
- Pongal Connection: Perfect timing during harvest - prosperity + wisdom theme
📚 Famous Thirukkural Couplets
Learning is the greatest wealth (Kural 391)
"Even for those who learned much, there's always more to learn; learning never exhausts wealth."
Non-violence supreme (Kural 312)
"The wound by fire heals; word-wound festers. Compare the two - the spoken is worse."
Good governance (Kural 541)
"Rain, learning, land, people, army - king succeeds with these fivefold growth."
🏛️ Key Locations
- Kanyakumari: 133-ft Thiruvalluvar statue overlooking sea
- Chennai: Valluvar Kottam memorial, Kural recitation events
- Mylapore: Traditional birthplace temple
- Madurai: Tamil University cultural programs
🌍 Modern Relevance
Thiruvalluvar Day reminds Tamil people of their rich literary heritage while emphasizing universal values of ethics, justice, and compassion - principles guiding modern governance, education, and personal conduct.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ When is Thiruvalluvar Day 2026?
January 16, 2026 (Friday) - Third day of Pongal celebrations. Tamil Nadu public holiday with cultural programs across state.
❓ Who was Thiruvalluvar?
Legendary Tamil poet-saint (1st century BCE-1st century CE), author of Thirukkural - 1330-couplet masterpiece on ethics, governance, love. Revered across religions as universal sage.
❓ What is Thirukkural about?
Thirukkural (Holy Kural) contains 133 chapters: Aram (38 ch.): Virtue, family duties, asceticism; Porul (70 ch.): Kingship, economics, society; Inbam (25 ch.): Love, marriage, relationships. Considered world's greatest ethical literature, relevant across millennia.
❓ Why celebrated during Pongal season?
January 16 perfectly aligns with Pongal harvest festival (Jan 14-17). Combines agricultural prosperity theme with literary wisdom celebration during Tamil month Thai.
❓ Is it a government holiday?
Yes - Tamil Nadu declares January 16 as restricted holiday. Schools, colleges, government offices closed. Cultural events organized statewide.
❓ Where are main celebrations?
Key Locations: Kanyakumari: 133-ft Thiruvalluvar statue special lighting; Chennai: Valluvar Kottam, Marina Beach events; Mylapore: Traditional birthplace temple poojas; Madurai: Tamil University cultural programs.