PONGAL
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.
TOURIST FAIR (FAIRLANDS or ISLAND GROUNDS - CHENNAI)
In January, the sun gets into a pleasant holiday mood and
Chennai gets a cool respite from her famous hot weather
! Time for family outings to the colourful TTDC Trade Fair.
The exhibition presents a panorama of Tamil Nadu - all her
places of tourist interest, her cultural wealth and economic
progress.
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CHITHIRAI FESTIVAL
Madurai brings you a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage
of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar.
You can witness an ancient legend unfold right before your
eyes as Lord Vishnu rides to his sister's wedding on gleaming
real-gold horse chariot.
DANCE FESTIVALS - MAMALLAPURAM
Sit before an open-air 'stage' created 13 centuries ago
the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas,
next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. Lovers
of dance will be treated to a very unique and unforgettably
aesthetic event : Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali
and Odissi, presented by the very best exponents of the
art besides folk dances.
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NATYANJALI DANCE FESTIVALS
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.
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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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.
SUMMER FESTIVALS
The summer festival might find you in the 'Queen of Hill
Stations', the evergreen Ooty; the exquisite Kodaikkanal
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 COURTALLM)
A festival that makes a celebration out of a simple, daily
ritualbathing ! And indeed, a bath at the picturesque Courtallam
waterfalls is no ordinary event. The healing waters of the
roaring Courtallam are famed for their medicinal properties.
KANTHURI FESTIVAL
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 annointed
with sandalwood - and later the holy sandal paste, renowned
for its healing powers, is distributed to everyone.
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KAVADI FESTIVAL
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 fulfil 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.
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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NAVARATHRI
Literally, this means the festival of 'nine nights' taking
unique and different forms in different states of India
- all to propitiate the goddess Sakthi, for power, wealth
and knowledge
KARTHIGAI DEEPAM
Rows of glittering earthen lamps outside every home, and
the joyous burst of fire crackers mark Tamil Nadu's Festival
of Lights.
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Come December, Chennai celebrates her priceless heritage
of carnatic, music and dance to present a galaxy of star
artistes,old and new.
