RAMESHWARAM TEMPLE / MAHABALLIPURAM /
Festivals in Tamil Nadu are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. Some of the prominent festivals celebrated here are, Pongal, Kanthuri, Chithrai, Mahamagam and many more.
¤ The Harvest Festival 'Pongal'
Pongal, known as the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Tamil Nadu. This festival is celebrated to extend tribute to the Sun, Nature and the Cattle wealth for helping farmers with a rich harvest and prosperity. The traditional dish of 'Pongal' i.e. boiling rice with jaggery and milk, is prepared at every home. On the day of Pongal, families gather around a new earthen pot, at dawn time. As the pot of milk boils over, signifying prosperity, a shout of "Pongalo Pongal" fills the air. This thanks- giving festival is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil Month Thai (Middle of January).
¤ Chithirai Festival at Madurai
The venue of Chithirai Festival is the famous Madurai temple, 500 kms. from Chennai. This festival starts from the beginning of the Tamil month Chithirai, and ends on the tenth day of the month. Madurai presents a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar. One can witness an ancient legend unfold right before one's eyes as Lord Vishnu rides to his sister's wedding on gleaming real-gold horse chariot. The celebration is filled with excitement and enthusiasm.
¤ Dance Festivals At Mamallapuram
The Dance Festival starts on the 25th of December every year and is held on all Saturdays. There are open air stages build around 13 centuries ago. The incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas are situated next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. This event is a treat for those who love dance. Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi dance performances are presented by the best of classical dancers.
¤ The Natyanjail Dance Festivals
This festival starts from the day of Mahashivarathri for 5 days at Chidambaram which is situated along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, 75 kms. south of Pondicherry. The temple city of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja the 'Cosmic dancer'. The temple is set in a truly divine atmosphere. The Chidambaram's gold-roofed temple, with pillars, depict Lord Nataraja in 108 poses from Bharatha Natyam, Tamil Nadu's classical dance.
¤ The Mahamagam Festival
Mahamagam festival is a holy festival that brings one to Kumbakonam once in 12 years, the city of temples that gets its name from "Kumbha", the divine pot. According to the legends, 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, consequently spilling the nectar into the famous Mahamagam tank at the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple.
¤ The Aurbathimoovar Festival
The word 'Arubathimoovar' literally refers to the 63 saints of Shiva glorified for leading worthy lives of devotion and penance. Bronze figures of these 63 saints decorate the magnificent Kapaliswar Temple at Mylapore, Chennai. Once, every year, they are carried in a colorful procession through the streets of Mylapore.
¤ The Saral Vizha ( Kuttalm or Courtallm )
This festival is nothing more than a celebration of a simple, daily ritual bathing. and indeed, a bath at the picturesque Courtallam waterfalls is no ordinary event. The healing waters of the roaring Courtallam are famous for their medicinal properties.
¤ The Kanthuri Festival
The Kanthuri festival is truly a secular festival, where devotees gather at the shrine of saint Quadirwali. It is 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 honored with offerings. The tenth day of the festival, is the day when Saint's tomb is anointed with sandalwood and later the holy sandal paste, famous for its healing powers, is distributed to everyone.
¤ The Harvest Festival 'Pongal'
Pongal, known as the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Tamil Nadu. This festival is celebrated to extend tribute to the Sun, Nature and the Cattle wealth for helping farmers with a rich harvest and prosperity. The traditional dish of 'Pongal' i.e. boiling rice with jaggery and milk, is prepared at every home. On the day of Pongal, families gather around a new earthen pot, at dawn time. As the pot of milk boils over, signifying prosperity, a shout of "Pongalo Pongal" fills the air. This thanks- giving festival is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil Month Thai (Middle of January).
¤ Chithirai Festival at Madurai
The venue of Chithirai Festival is the famous Madurai temple, 500 kms. from Chennai. This festival starts from the beginning of the Tamil month Chithirai, and ends on the tenth day of the month. Madurai presents a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar. One can witness an ancient legend unfold right before one's eyes as Lord Vishnu rides to his sister's wedding on gleaming real-gold horse chariot. The celebration is filled with excitement and enthusiasm.
¤ Dance Festivals At Mamallapuram
The Dance Festival starts on the 25th of December every year and is held on all Saturdays. There are open air stages build around 13 centuries ago. The incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas are situated next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. This event is a treat for those who love dance. Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi dance performances are presented by the best of classical dancers.
¤ The Natyanjail Dance Festivals
This festival starts from the day of Mahashivarathri for 5 days at Chidambaram which is situated along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, 75 kms. south of Pondicherry. The temple city of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja the 'Cosmic dancer'. The temple is set in a truly divine atmosphere. The Chidambaram's gold-roofed temple, with pillars, depict Lord Nataraja in 108 poses from Bharatha Natyam, Tamil Nadu's classical dance.
¤ The Mahamagam Festival
Mahamagam festival is a holy festival that brings one to Kumbakonam once in 12 years, the city of temples that gets its name from "Kumbha", the divine pot. According to the legends, 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, consequently spilling the nectar into the famous Mahamagam tank at the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple.
¤ The Aurbathimoovar Festival
The word 'Arubathimoovar' literally refers to the 63 saints of Shiva glorified for leading worthy lives of devotion and penance. Bronze figures of these 63 saints decorate the magnificent Kapaliswar Temple at Mylapore, Chennai. Once, every year, they are carried in a colorful procession through the streets of Mylapore.
¤ The Saral Vizha ( Kuttalm or Courtallm )
This festival is nothing more than a celebration of a simple, daily ritual bathing. and indeed, a bath at the picturesque Courtallam waterfalls is no ordinary event. The healing waters of the roaring Courtallam are famous for their medicinal properties.
¤ The Kanthuri Festival
The Kanthuri festival is truly a secular festival, where devotees gather at the shrine of saint Quadirwali. It is 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 honored with offerings. The tenth day of the festival, is the day when Saint's tomb is anointed with sandalwood and later the holy sandal paste, famous for its healing powers, is distributed to everyone.
