Tamil festivals

Pongal, also called as Tamizhar Thirunaal (festival of Tamils) is a four-day harvest festival and is the most celebrated festival of Tamil Nadu. The Tamil language saying Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum -- literally meaning, the birth of the month of Thai will pave way for new opportunities -- is often quoted with reference to the Pongal festival. The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old clothes and materials by setting them on fire to mark the end of the old and emergence of the new. The second day, Surya Pongal, is the main day which falls on the first day of the Tamil month Thai (January 14 or January 15 in western calendar). The third day, Maattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cattle, as they provide milk and are used to plough the lands. Jallikattu, a violent taming the wild bull contest, marks the main event of this day. During this final day, Kaanum Pongal the word "kanum", literally meaning 'to view' youths used to gather at river banks to view and select their future life partners, but that practice has declined. We provide travel & tours in India.

The first month in the Tamil calendar is Chittirai and the first day of this month is celebrated as Tamil New Year, which generally falls on the April 14 or 13 of the Gregorian calendar. Aadi Perukku is celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month 'aadi', which is basically intended to celebrate the raising of water level in river Cauvery. Apart from these major festivals, in every village and town of Tamil Nadu people celebrate festivals for the local gods once in a year and the time differs from place to place. Most of these festivals are related to the goddess Maariyamman, the mother goddess of rain. Indian packages with Indian Travel Agent.

National festivals like Saraswathi Poojai (Dasara) and Vinayaka Chathurthi and the most famous Diwali are celebrated widely. The Ayyavazhi Festival, Ayya Vaikunda Avataram is celebrated grandly in the southern districts,[11] especially in Swamithope pathi,[12] the religious head quarters.[13] In addition the Velankanni Church and the Nagore mosque stand testimony to the multi-religious nature of the state. We provide travel & tours in India.