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Pongal festival falls in the month of January, a
festival of Thanks giving to the Sun, the Earth and the cow. They cook
the Pongal made up of rice jaggery and milk in front of their houses in
a mud pot. At dawn on this day families everywhere gather around a new
earthen pot. As the pot of milk boils over, signifying prosperity, a
shout of "Pongalo Pongal" rents the air.
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The temple city of Chidambaram pays special
tribute to Lord Nataraja the 'Cosmic dancer'. The setting is truly
divine-Chidambaram's gold-roofed temple, with pillars depicting Lord
Nataraja in 108 poses from Bharatha Natyam - Tamil Nadu's classical
dance.
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Dancing in a hypnotic trance to the rhythm of
drums, devotees of Muruga carry the 'Kavadi' a flower-decked decoration,
all the way up the Palani Hills to fulfill their vow. According to Hindu
mythology, Idumban is said to have carried two sacred hillocks on two
ends of a pole placed on his shoulders.
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The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated in the
Tamil Month of Karthigai (November - December). It begins on Uttradam
day with flag hoisting and goes on the nine days........
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On the 4th day, Kanya Pongal, coloured balls of
the pongal are made and are offered to birds. A kind of bull-fight,
called the 'Jallikattu' is held in Madhurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tanjore
in Tamil Nadu.
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The classical tradition is an ancient and
sophisticated art form stretching back over thousands of years.
Originating in the temples and performed by the devadasis, the classical
styles have been associated with mythology, philosophy, and spiritual
beliefs
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Vinayaka Chathurthi
Lord Ganapathi or Vinayaka is one of the most
popular deities in the State, this festival falls in the month of
September / October, the pooja celebrated with traditional fervour and
gaiety
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Navarathiri
This festival lasts for nine nights, hence the
name Nava - rathri arrived, falls in the month of September / October
Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi are worshipped, celebration is
marked by the displays of hand-made dolls in the houses.
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Deepavali is a festival of lights, marks Festival
Of Lights celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over
evil. One of the many stories which explain why Deepavali is celebrated
describes how Lord Krishna, a Hindu deity, defeated a demon and freed
the people from suffering.
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Saraswathi Pooja
The festival is celebrated in the honour of
Saraswathi - the Goddess of arts and letters. Educational institutions
and academies of art naturally take a lively interest in these
celebrations. The goddess is invoked in every home and hearth during the
celebrations.
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Chitri Rai Festival
The festival is held in the famous Madurai
Temples and lasts for 10 days during the Tamil month of chithirai Major
attractions is the procession of lord kallazhagar otherwise known as
lord Vishnu from Azhagarkoil to give away his sister goddess Meenakshi,
in Marriage to Lord Sundareswarar.
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Mahamagam Festival
A holy festival that will bring you to Kumbakonam
once in 12 years - the temple city that gets its name from "Kumbha"
- the divine pot. Legend has it that Brahma, the Creator, held a pot
containing nectar and the seed of creation. Shiva. in the form of a
hunter shot an arrow at the pot - spilling the nectar into the famous
Mahamagam tank at the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple.
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Dance Festival - Mamallapuram
The festival begins on the 25th of December in
Mamallapuram lasts for 6 weeks Sit before an open-air 'stage' created 13
centuries ago the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas,
next to the sea in this aesthetic event : Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi,
Kathakali and ancient city of Mamallapuram. Lovers of dance will be
treated to a very unique and unforgettably Odissi, presented by the very
best exponents of the art besides folk dances.
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Arubathimoovar Festival
Literally, 'Arubathimoovar' refers to the 63
saints of Shiva canonised for leading exemplary lives of devotion and
penance. Bronze figures of these 63 saints adorn the magnificent
Kapaliswar Temple at Mylapore, Chennai. Once, every year, they are
carried in a colourful procession through the streets of Mylapore.
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Summer Festival
The summer festival might find you in the 'Queen
of Hill Stations', the evergreen Ooty; the exquisite Kodaikanal or the
salubrious heights of Yercaud - where boat races, flower and fruit shows
are specially organised. Also, a splendid opportunity to go trekking in
any of Tamil Nadu's other hill stations that promise unforgettable
holidays off the beaten track.
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Saral Vizha ( Kuttalm or Courtallam)
A festival that makes a celebration out of a
simple, daily ritual bathing! And indeed, a bath at the picturesque
Courtallam waterfalls is not an ordinary event. The healing waters of
the roaring Courtallam are famed for their medicinal properties.
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Kanthuri Festivals
A truly secular festival - where devotees flock
to the shrine of saint Quadirwali, believed to do equal good to people
of all faiths. One of the descendants of the Saint is chosen as a Peer
or spiritual leader and is honoured with offerings. On the tenth day of
the festival, the Saint's tomb is anointed with sandalwood - and later
the holy sandal paste, renowned for its healing powers, is distributed
to everyone.
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Velankanni Festivals
VELANKANNI FESTIVAL Wondrous legends surround the
church-the most famous being that of the ship-wrecked Portuguese
sailors, who in the 16th century, vowed to build a great shrine for the
Virgin Mary, for saving their lives in a terrible storm. The Velankanni
festival attracts thousands, clad in orange robes to the sacred spot
where the ship landed. Equally famous are the Virgin Mary's miraculous
healing powers - earning for the church the name 'Lourdes of the East'.
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Tamil
Nadu has perhaps the largest number of religious celebrations in the year.
Most of the temple-festivals take place in September-October and in the
post-harvest months of March-June. The duration of each festivals is from
three to ten days more. The main deity is draped in colorful bright costumes
and adorned with very valuable and rare items of jewellery of the distant
past. The deity is mounted on specially constructed carriers called
'Vahanams' and taken round the temple in processions. 
