Festivals of Tamil Nadu

Pongal Festivalthe celebration.
Pongal Festival is one of the biggest harvest festival,Chithirai Festival
celebrated for four days. The traditional preparation ofChithirai Festival takes place in the famous Madurai
sweet dish 'Pongal' by boiling rice, moong dal, jaggerytemple., 500 km from Chennai. The festivals begins on
and milk, takes place in every home. The festivalthe Tamil month – Chithirai and lasts for ten days. It
begins with “Bhogi Pongal”, a day for the family,presents a spectacular procession of the marriage of
on second is the “Surya Pongal”, people paythe elder sister of lord Vishnu to Lord Sundareswarar.
homage to the Sun God and the third day of Pongal isThe celebration is filled with enthusiasm and festivity.
“Mattu Pongal” in which cattle is worshiped.Dance Festivals
The Dance festival starts on the 25th of December
Natyanjali festival is dedicated to the cosmic dancerevery year and is held on all Saturdays, Sundays and
Lord Shiva. The festival starts on the auspiciousGovernment holiday's, till February first week. The
occasion of the Maha Shivratri and continues for nextevent is marked with the performances of eminent
five days. The festival is celebrated with a greatdancers and the classical dances such as Bharat
enthusiasm and fervor, where prominent dancers ofNatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi dances.
India performs dances in front of the Nataraja Temple,Navarathiri
to pay their tribute to Lord Nataraja.The festival of Navarathiri lasts for nine days. It starts
Tea and Tourism Festivalfrom the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin
The Tea and Tourism festival is celebrated in theaccording to the Hindu calender. During these days
Nilgiris, in the month of January- February. The festivalGoddess Durga and her nine forms are worshiped.
lasts for three days and varieties of tea are on display,The festival is celebrated with true devotion by visiting
also available for tasting. Cultural programs, delicioustemples of Goddess and offering prayers.
cuisines of the South, visit to tea estates etc., marks