14 Famous Tamil Nadu Festivals You Need to Experience in 2022
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Tamil Nadu is one of the states in southern India that is able to preserve its traditions, and you can get a glimpse of the state’s rich cultural heritage during the festival. It is said that in Tamil Nadu, two weeks would not pass without festivities, especially during the celebration of countless festivals. Different regions of Tamil Nadu celebrate all festivals with great enthusiasm throughout the year.
This article helps you understand the beautiful and colorful culture and festivals of Tamil Nadu that you should experience at least once.
Famous festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu:
The vibrant culture and ancient traditions of Tamil Nadu are beautifully represented in the festival. Let’s scroll down this article to learn more about the festival and how it’s celebrated.
1. Pongal:
Pongal celebrates the agricultural harvest and is one of the most memorable festivals in Tamil Nadu. During this festival, the Ox, Lord Indra and the Sun God are worshipped and paid homage. Decorations with organic materials, new clothes, many rituals and festive foods unique to this time of year are the highlights of the festival. Pongal is celebrated for four days in Tamil Nadu, a state celebrated by people in the state by cherishing their crops, preparing Pongal and distributing harvested sugar cane.
- emphasize: Jallikattu is celebrated on the third day of Pongal.
- when: January.
- Where: throughout the state.
- Festival Duration: Four days.
2. Nathyajali:
The people of Tamil Nadu celebrate the importance of classical dance and music in a beautiful way at the Natyanjali Dance Festival. This dance festival is dedicated to Nataraja, the king of dance, in miniature. Ananda Tandava is considered a driving force in art and dance, and Lord Nataraja is worshipped worldwide. The highlight of the festival is when performers from all over the world perform Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Pung Cholam, Odissi and other dance forms to commemorate their presence.
- emphasize: People from all over the world perform a variety of classical dance styles.
- when: February March.
- Where: Chennai, Tirunalal, Mayavaran, Kumba Konam, Nagapatinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvanaikur.
- Festival Duration: Five days.
3. Karthigai Deepam:
Karthigai deepam, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in the month of Karthigai from November to mid-December according to the Tamil calendar. The festival depicts the welcome of good things, keeping the bad things in our lives away from us, and is celebrated for ten days. People in this state light huge fires at the top of the mountain to commemorate the appearance of Lord Shiva on Mount Tiruvannamalai. And, people chanted Annamalaiyarku Arohara while burning the fire with camphor and ghee. During this festival, people will put on new clothes to meet their loved ones and enjoy themselves.
- emphasize: The fire ignited at the top of Tiruvannamalai.
- when: November to mid-December.
- Where: throughout the state.
- Festival Duration: ten days.
See also: Top Tamil Nadu Beaches You Must Visit
4. Chennai Music and Dance Festival:
If you want to experience up-and-coming famous artists showcasing their talents, the Chennai Music and Dance Festival is the perfect choice. People’s hearts are drawn to ballistic dance moves and uplifting music. People from all over the world witnessed this wonderful journey together. This dance and music festival dedicated to South Indian dance and music is held in various venues across Chennai.
emphasize: People from different parts of South India perform South Indian classical dance and music.
when: Mid-December to mid-January.
Where: Chennai.
Festival Duration: a month.
5. Vinayaja Chattuti:
Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the famous festivals celebrated all over India with pomp and enthusiasm. People clean their houses before the festival and bring home the idol of Lord Ganesha. The temple is beautifully decorated and offers special prayers for the gods. Kozhakattai – A sweet, rice noodle dumpling is some of the specialties cooked during this festival.
- emphasize: giant panda in ganesha
- when: September.
- Where: throughout the state.
- Festival Duration: nine days.
6. Navaratri:
Navratri is another famous festival celebrated with reverence across the country. The first three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the next three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, and the last three days are dedicated to Saraswati of Tamil Nadu. Many music clubs and sabhas are performed along with music and dance performances in the temple. In addition, several villages in South Tamil Nadu also perform Pulikai. Another unique part of Navratri in Tamil Nadu is the golu/kolu dolls on the wooden steps.
- emphasize: Spiritual music and dance performances, rituals, Kolu toys.
- when: October.
- Where: throughout the state.
- Festival Duration: nine days.
See also: Best Pilgrimage Sites in Tamil Nadu
7. Deepavali:
Deepavali, the festival of lights, lasts five days and is usually celebrated in Tamil Nadu in October or November. While most of India celebrates Deepavali in Amavasya, people in Tamil Nadu celebrate it during the Brahma muhurta when Chaturdashi tithi is prevalent. This celebration is held either on the day of Deepavali or the day before the main event.
- emphasize: The sound of firecrackers resounded in the sky, and the houses were brightly lit.
- when: October or November.
- Where: throughout the state.
- Festival Duration: Five days.
8. Thaipusam:
Thaipusam is a festival celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Subramaniam, the youngest son of Lord Shiva of Tamil Nadu. A clothed devotee, like one who lives on alms, receives kavadi, which has rice, milk, and other things as offerings to the Lord. However, some devotees prefer to walk barefoot to the temple. This is also the day when people ask the Lord for their wishes and keep their vows when they are granted.
emphasize: Devotees who carry kavadis are dedicated to the Lord, piercing the skin and tongue.
when: January.
Where: throughout the state.
Festival Duration: ten days.
9. Panguni Uthiram:
The Panguni Uthiram festival is celebrated by devotees of Murugan and Shiva devotees, with hundreds of devotees flocking to all the temples in Murugan to witness the festivities. Celebrations last for 13 days and the worship of the earth element at the Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, has a special significance. It is also a day that witnesses many holy marriages as Panguni nakhatram coincides with the full moon.
- emphasize: Procession of the gods, devotees carrying kavadi.
- when: March April.
- Where: Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram
- Festival Duration: 13 days.
10. Saraswati Puja:
Saraswathi Pooja embeds the worship of musical instruments and celebrates the triumph of good and evil. On this day, in addition to instruments and tools, Saraswati, the goddess of art, wisdom and literature, is worshipped. This pooja is celebrated on the ninth day of Navrathri where Ayudha/Astra puja is performed. This festival helps us understand the importance of tools and how they can help us achieve our goals.
- emphasize: Puja of all musical instruments and Goddess Sarawati.
- when: October.
- Where: throughout the state.
- Festival Duration: one day.
11. Chitri Rai Festival:
The Chitri Rai festival celebrated in April or May is a beautiful reenactment of the wedding of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi. The destination of this event is the Meenakshi Temple in Madhurai. This festival is celebrated for two weeks in the Tamil month of Chitrai.
- emphasize: The wedding of Lord Sundareswaaeae and Goddess Meenakshi.
- when: April-May.
- Where: Madurai.
- Festival Duration: two weeks.
12. Mahan Festival:
The Mahamaham festival is celebrated in a small town called Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu and is celebrated every 12 years. People from all over the country come to take a dip in the big bath to get rid of their sins. Surrounded by shrines and wells, the tank is 6.2 acres. The festival starts with prayers at the temple, dipping into 20 wells, visiting the Kumbeswarar Temple, and then dipping into the holy pool. Finally, a dip in the Coffrey River concludes the process.
- emphasize: 6.2 acres of sacred dipping tanks.
- when: February to March.
- Where: Kumba Conan.
- Festival Duration: ten days.
See also: Incredibly beautiful waterfalls in Tamil Nadu
13. Puthandu (Tamil New Year):
Tamil New Year, also known as Puthandi, is the first month of mid-April in the Tamil calendar. Beautiful kolams on their doorstep mark the morning in Puthandu. Another unique feature of this festival is the neem tree flowers and the mangoes hanging from the tree. People prepare Maanga pachadi with neem flowers, jaggery and mango, put on new clothes and eat delicious food.
- emphasize: Visit Kanni Temple to prepare for Maanga pachadi.
- when: mid-April.
- Where: throughout the state.
- Festival Duration: one day.
14. Tyagaraja Aradhana:
Tyagaraja Aradhana is a festival celebrated in the town of Thiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur region in honor of the saint Tyagaraja near his samadhi. Saint Thyagaraja is a well-known musical composer, one of the three major musical trinities. It is considered one of the largest music festivals in the country and welcomes music lovers from all over the world. The festival celebrates and promotes Carnatic classical music worldwide.
- emphasize: Famous classical singers from all over South India come to perform Pancharatna keerthanas.
- when: January.
- Where: Thiruvayaru.
- Festival Duration: two days.
Festivals in Tamil Nadu bring ancient traditions alive and vibrant. From traditional lavish ways of celebrating the Tamil New Year to the famous Harvest Festival, you can experience them all. If you plan to visit Tamil Nadu, plan your trip during the festival to witness the festivities. If you found this article helpful, don’t forget to let us know!
FAQ:
1. What are the different dance forms in Tamil Nadu?
answer: Bharatnatyam is a Tamil Nadu dance. Some other dance forms popular in Tamil Nadu are:
- Bamba dance.
- Bomaratan.
- Chakkai attam.
- Devaratam.
- Kai silambu attam.
- Colatan.
- Kaman Pandig.
2. What are the famous food in Tamil Nadu?
answer: Here are the popular dishes you must try in Tamil Nadu:
- Prio Dalai.
- Palupu Payasam.
- sambar.
- Rassam.
- Lamb cola urundai.
- Filter kapi.
- Chicken Chettinard.
- Polachandu fry.
3. What language is spoken in Tamil Nadu?
answer: The official national language spoken by most people is Tamil. Other Dravidian languages ​​spoken in Tamil Nadu are Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.