Amazing Festivals to See in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of the states in South India that keeps its culture alive and educates visitors about the rich culture of the state during its celebrations. It is believed that it is impossible to spend a fortnight without festivities in Tamil Nadu, especially during the celebration of many festivals. People from different parts of Tamil Nadu celebrate all the festivals with great joy throughout the year.

Gives you an insight into the amazing and vibrant culture and festivals that are a part of Tamil Nadu, which you must visit at least once.

Popular Festivals Celebrated in Tamil Nadu:

The rich culture and long tradition that is a part of Tamil Nadu is represented in the festivals with beautiful flair. Scroll down this article to know more about the celebrations and how to observe them.

1. Pongal:

Pongal is a harvest festival and one of the most memorable festivals in Tamil Nadu. In this festival, cows and Indra and Surya are worshiped in a ceremony that honors them. Decorations made of organic materials and new clothes, as well as many rituals and festive meals unique to this time of the year are the main highlights of the festival. Pongal lasts for 4 weeks in Tamil Nadu and the people of this state observe this celebration by celebrating their harvests, performing Pongal and then distributing the sugarcane crop.

Highlights: Jallikattu is celebrated the day before Pongal begins.

When: January.

Where: Statewide.

Festival Duration: Four days.

2. Natyanjali:

The people of Tamil Nadu beautifully celebrate the importance of classical music and dance in Natyanjali dance festival. Natyanjali Natya Utsavam is the ultimate offering to God in Nataraja dance. Ananda Tandava is considered the main force behind dance and art, while Lord Nataraja is revered worldwide. The main attraction of the festival is that dancers from all over the world perform dance forms like Kuchipudi Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri Pang Cholam and Odissi.

Highlights: Performances of a wide variety of classical dance styles by dancers from around the world.

When: February-March.

Where: Chennai, Tirunallar, Mayavaram, Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvanaikoil.

Festival Duration: It lasts for five days.

3. Kartika Deepam:

Karthikadeep also known as Karthigai Deepam is also known as the festival of lights and is celebrated in the month of Kartika according to the Tamil calendar. It falls between November and December. This festival is celebrated for ten whole days to welcome the good things in our life and ward off the bad things from our lives. The people of this state light a huge fire on the hilltop to commemorate Lord Shiva's arrival at the hills of Tiruvannamalai. Also, people chant Arohara to Annamalaiyar as a huge fire is lit using ghee and camphor. During this time people wear new clothes and have fun with their family members.

Highlights: Enormous fire lit up the Tiruvannamalai hilltops.

When: November to mid-December.

Where: Statewide.

Festival Duration: It is held for ten days.

4. Music & Dance Festival Chennai:

If you are interested in seeing budding stars and famous performers showcase their talents at a festival, Chennai Festival of Dance and Music is the right choice. People's minds were captivated by the flying movements of the dancers and the sounds of the music. Visitors from all over the world attend to be a part of this amazing journey. Many venues across Chennai organize a music and dance festival dedicated to South Indian music and dance.

Highlights: People from all parts of South India dance to South Indian classical dance and music.

When: Mid-December to mid-January.

Where: Chennai.

Festival Duration: It lasts for a month.

5. Vinayaka Chaturthi:

Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most popular festivals celebrated across India with great pomp and enthusiasm. Before the start of the festival people clean their houses and then bring the idol of Lord Ganesha to their houses. Temples are beautified with special pujas to the deity. Kojakattai, a sweet dish and dumplings made of rice flour are some of the dishes cooked during the festival.

Highlights: Big festivals of Ganesha

When: September.

Where: Statewide.

Festival Duration: It is held for nine days.

6. Navratri:

Navratri is a diverse popular festival celebrated with reverence around the world. Three days of celebrations are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and the next three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga and the last three days are dedicated to Saraswati from Tamil Nadu. Many music clubs and sabhas are organized, as well as dance and musical performances in temples. Additionally, Pulikai dance is performed in many villages in southern Tamil Nadu. A special feature of Navratri celebrated in Tamil Nadu is Golu/Kolu figurines on wooden steps.

  Highlights: Performance of dance and music from spiritual world celebrations and kolu puppets.

When: October.

Where: Statewide.

Duration of festival: Nine days.

7. Diwali:

Diwali, the festival of lights, lasts for five days and is usually celebrated in Tamil Nadu in November or October. While people in populous India celebrate Diwali during Amavasya, the festival in Tamil Nadu is celebrated during Brahma Muhurtham when Chaturdashi Tithi is in full force. This festival is celebrated on the morning of Diwali or the day before the main celebration.

Highlights: Firecrackers fill the sky and illuminated houses.

When: October or November.

Where: Statewide.

Festival duration: Five days.

8. Thaipusam:

Thaipusam is a festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu to celebrate the birth of Subramanya Swamy, the child of Lord Shiva. People who attend the festival dressed like those who live on alms consume kava made of milk, rice and other things offered as offerings to the Lord. But some devotees prefer to walk to the temple insoles. This is the time when people ask God to grant their wish and fulfill their vows when they receive their wish.

Highlights: Devotees carrying kavadi to offer to the lord and piercing the tongue and skin.

When: January.

Where: Statewide.

Festival Duration: It is held for ten days

9. Remainder of share:

Panguni Uthiram festival is celebrated by devotees of Murugan and Lord Shiva. Shiva devotees throng all the Murugan temples in droves to witness the festival. The celebrations are held for 13 days along with worshiping the earth element Prithvi Linga at the Ekambareswara temple in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. It is also the day for the most beautiful weddings due to Panguni nakshatra ruling the full moon.

Features: Procession of God with Kavadi carrying devotees.

When: March-April.

Location: Ekambareswara Temple in Kancheepuram..

Duration of Festivals: 13 days.

10. Saraswati Puja:

Saraswati Puja is a day of worshiping instruments and commemorates the victory of good over evil. Saraswati, the goddess of art and wisdom, as well as literature, is worshiped on this day along with instruments and tools. This pooja is performed on the 9th day of Navratri when the Ayudhore Astra Pujas are performed. It helps us appreciate that tools play a vital role and can help us reach our goals.

Highlights: Pooja and Goddess Saraswati with all instruments.

When: October.

Where: Statewide.

Duration of Festival : One day.

11. Chitra Rai Festival:

This festival is celebrated in May or April, in April or May, the Chitra Rai festival is a beautiful reenactment of Lord Sundareswara to Meenakshi Devi. This festival venue can be found at the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. The festival takes place in the Tamil month of Chitrai and lasts for two weeks.

Highlights : Marriage of Goddess Meenakshi Sundareshwaya.

When: April-May.

Where: Madurai.

Festival Duration: It lasts for two weeks.

12. Mahamaham Festival:

The Mahamaham festival takes place every year in a small town in Tamil Nadu called Kumbakonam and is celebrated every year for 12 years. Visitors from all over the world are invited to take a dip in the great tank to wash away their sins. Surrounded by shrines and wells, the Maha Tank covers an area of 6.2 acres. The festival begins with prayers at the temple, bathing in 20 wells and visiting the Kumbeshwarar temple and then bathing in this holy water tank. Later, the process of bathing in Kaveri river ends.

Highlights: Sacred dipping tanks spread over 6.2 acres.

When: February to March.

Where: Scandal.

Duration of the festival: Ten days.

13. Putandu (Tamil New Year):

The Tamil New Year is also known as Puthandi in the Tamil calendar which starts in mid-April. The beautiful kolams in front of their houses represent the dawn. Another unique aspect of this festival is the beauty of the flowers in the neem tree, as well as the mangoes hanging from the trees. People use neem flowers, jaggery, as well as mangoes to make mango greens. Wear new clothes and enjoy delicious food.

  Highlights: Go to Kanni Temple and prepare for Manga Pachdi.

When: Mid-April.

Where: Statewide.

Duration of Festival: One day.

14. Worship of Thyagaraja:

Thyagaraja Aradhana is a ceremony to honor Thyagaraja near his samadhi in Thiruvaiyaru town in Thanjavur region. Thyagaraja is a well-known music composer and considered one of the 3 musical trinity. It is one of the biggest music festivals that attracts music lovers from all over the world. The festival is globally recognized and a major promoter of Carnatic classical music.

Special Events: Renowned classical artists of South India are invited to sing Pancharatna kirtans.

When: January.

Where: Tiruivayaru.

Festival Duration: Two days.

Tamil Nadu festivals are believed to keep traditions alive as they are alive. From the elaborate and traditional way of celebrating the Tamil New Year to the famous harvest festival, you can enjoy these festivals in all their glory. If you plan to visit Tamil Nadu, plan your trip around the festival to experience the festivities.

F A Q:

1. What are the different dance forms in Tamil Nadu?

Answer: Bharatanatyam is Tamil Nadu dance. Other popular dance forms in Tamil Nadu are:

Bomber dance.

toy

Gakkai Attam.

Devrattam.

Kai Silambu Attam.

Kolattam.

Kaman Pandigai.

2. What are the most popular dishes typical of Tamil Nadu?

Answer: Here are the most famous dishes of Tamil Nadu that you should try:

Pulyodarai.

Paruppu Payasam.

Sambar.

the juice

Mutton Kola Urundai.

Filter the copy.

Chicken Chettinad.

Pollachi Nandu Fry.

3. Are there any languages spoken in Tamil Nadu?