Major Tamil Cultural Celebration Dates' Corrections Based on Astronomical Science

This study aims to find the appropriate Tamil cultural celebration dates based on astronomical science. It discusses misunderstandings, errors, and challenges in calculating the Tamil cultural celebration dates and tries to find suitable solutions for the two crucial celebrations, Thai Pongal and Tamil New Year. These festivals must be on relevant dates based on astronomical science and natural seasons. It is because of the Tamil astrological calendar, which is based on the sidereal (sayana) method. Ancient Tamil's astrological contribution is outstanding. However, a correction is necessary to avoid the seasons being out of phase with the natural phenomenon of the earth. This error and misconception require slight changes and co-exist over several centuries without notice. This paper makes a comparative study, analyses both tropical year and sidereal year calculation methods using regular comparative and quantitative assessments, including calendar discrepancy assessment, precession assessment, and astrological assessment, and provides a solution to the several centuries' challenge. The quantitative evaluation uses sidereal and tropical calculation methods and examines the differences. This research article analyses the astronomical and astrological reasons behind it, how and why people do the celebration on specific dates, and what to do about it. This change is necessary for the benefit of society and the future generation. This is the first paper to address all these parameters holistically. Therefore, this research finding is original, not repetitive, historical, and ground-breaking in astrology, astronomy, and social science. This paper will be helpful for academics, researchers, scientists, consultants, astrologists, astronomers, cultural institutions, and society.