Festivals Of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is known for its magnificent festivals, outlined with rangolis, bright silks, flowers, temples celebrations and of course lots of festival food ! Here are 4 festivals of Tamil Nadu you can plan your visits around!

Pongal
This is the most important Harvest festival celebrated by the people of Tamil Nadu. It lasts for a period of 4 days and is normally celebrated on the 13th of January till the 16th.
This festival is actually mainly celebrated to thank or show appreciation to the Sun God for giving energy towards agriculture. The people boil the first rice of the season as a tribute to the Sun God. Pongal is also the name of a dish that is very famous in the South and is cooked for most of the festivals there.
One month before the festival the females of the houses make patterns at the entrance of the houses known as Kolam with rice and colored powder. This month is called Margali and houses are whitewashed and kept ready for Pongal.

Natyanjali Dance Festival
Natyanjali Dance Festival celebrated to pay tribute to LORD NATARAJA, a depiction of LORD SHIVA. Natyanjali, ‘Natya’ means dance and ‘Anjali’ means offering. It is celebrated in the NATRANJA TEMPLE, Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. From all over India, thousands of dancers represent their unique dance forms like Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, etc. on this day. Natyanjali dance festival is either celebrated in the month of February or March. On the day of Maha Shivratri, this festival begins and goes on for five days. With dancers all dressed up in their exotic traditional outfits which represent the rich and diverse culture of their forms, this festival glorifies the message of ‘UNITY IN DIVERSITY’, by bringing in so many traditions & culture together.

Thaipusam
Thaipusam the festival which celebrates the birth of the LORD SUBRAMANIAM, the younger son of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated on a full moon night in the month of Thai in the Tamil Calendar. On this day, people pray to the Lord with utmost faith and once granted, they keep up with the vows they made on the day of the festival.
This day is of penance is highlighted even more when the devotee takes the ‘Kavadi’. Wearing the ‘Pandaram’ the Kavadi bearer carries two pots, hanging on the two ends of a long stick which is carried on the shoulders. The pot contains rice, milk, fruits and other things the devotee wants to offer. You will also love reading about natural wonders in India.

Mahamaham Festival
Mahamaham Festival is celebrated once in 12 years in a town called Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. It was last celebrated on 6th of March, 2004. According to the Tamil Calendar, Mahamaham is celebrated in the month of Mahi which lies between February and March. The reason behind its celebration once in 12 years is because, at this time the planet Jupiter enters the Leo constellation, which also happens once in 12 years. On this day, people from all around the world join this grandeur at ‘Mahamaham Tank’ and take a dip or bathe in the is celebrated once in 12 years in a town called Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.
It was last celebrated on 6th of March, 2004. According to the Tamil Calendar, Mahamaham is celebrated in the month of Mahi which lies between February and March. The reason behind its celebration once in 12 years is because, at this time the planet Jupiter enters the Leo constellation, which also happens once in 12 years. On this day, people from all around the world join this grandeur at ‘Mahamaham Tank’ and take a dip or bathe in the Rive Cauvery, which is considered sacred, to purify their souls and wash away their sins.