FESTIVALS
Don’t Miss Out!
Festivals in Tamilnadu are as vibrant and colorful as the people and their clothing. The state celebrates several festivals based on the seasons. The year starts in mid April and people celebrate Puthandu to welcome the new year. All through the summer (April-May), people take part in temple festivals. Then, when the monsoons arrive and the rivers are full, people celebrate various festivals from July-November on the banks of various rivers. Families and temples also celebrate religious festivals such as Ganesha Chaturthi, Janmashtami and the ten-day Navaratri festival during these monsoon months. As the monsoon ends and the nights grow pitch dark, people celebrate Deepavali (Deepa=lamp, avali = array) and Karthigai. They light lamps to decorate their homes and pray to remove the darkness and to enhance the brightness in their lives. In December, Christians celebrate Christmas with lights and colors while the Hindus celebrate the Margazhi month with music, dance and prayers. Finally, after the harvest in Mid January, the Thai Pongal festival is celebrated as thanksgiving to Sun God. Men also engage in Jallikattu where they show their valor by wrestling with bulls.
If you want to witness the vibrant nature of tamil culture being reflected in their celebrations, we can make this happen for you. Here are some of the festivals that we recommend:
Pongal Harvest Festival (January)
Jallikattu (January)
Arupathu Moovar festival, Chennai ( Feb-March)
Chithirai Festival, Madurai (April-May)
Velankanni Festival (August)
Navaratri Golu (September-October)
Deepavali (October-November)
Karthikai Deepam, Tiruvannamalai (November)
Mahabalipuram Dance Festival (December-January)
Pongal Thirunal
Pongal is celebrated for 4 days in Tamilnadu.It is the biggest festival in Tamilnadu. Day before Pongal, on the day of Bhogi(Pokki) people ward off their old and used items and burn them.
On the day of Pongal, it is basically a harvest festival celebrated and Pongal is made with newly harvested rice. And also celebrated thanking Sun God(Suriyan)
Day after Pongal, 3rd day is celebrated as Mattupongal, in giving respect to Cows and Bullocks. The horns are painted and cows are decorated. Fourth day is Kanu Pongal or Kaanum Pongal. Relatives visit each other. On this day , for the well being of their brothers, sisters perform Kanupidi Pooja or Nonbu. People visit their relatives and get the blessing of elders.
Deepavali
Deepavali is a grand festival In Tamilnadu. A month before Deepavali , we can see huge rough in Textile shops as the Tamilians have the habit of buying new clothes . Tailors were also busy on these days. Deepavali is also called Naraka Chathurthi. Day before Deepavali, Parents invite their newly wed daughters and offer them gifts. Children play with fire crackers on the eve of Deepavali. Many sweets and savouries are prepared on this occasion. The day before Deepavali is also celebrated as Dhanvantri Jayanthi and people prepare Marundhu using ayurvedic herbs and offer to God. On the day of Deepavali, early morning people take oil bath and wear new clothes, eat sweets and get the blessings of elders. Children play with fire crackers.Later visit temples and relatives. In some communities, they observe Nonbu or Gowri vratam on the day of Amavasya.
Tamil Puthandu (Tamil New Year)
Tamil New year’s Day( Varuda pirappu or Tamil Puthandu) is the first day of the Tamil year. Every Tamilian celebrates this with great pampering. Houses are decorated with flowers, thoranam hung on. Colourful kolam is drawn in front of the house. Prepare a feast including the special one Manga pachadi. This is a must in the food menu. This is prepared with Mango, Jaggery, Neem flower, green chilli and little salt symbolising the coming year should bring in all the tastes in their lives( sweet, sour and bitter)