Festivals of Tamil Nadu
The southernmost state of India, Tamil Nadu is home to the Tamil speaking population of India. It is a major port city of India with having a large coastline on the eastern ghats of India. Pongal is the most widely celebrated festival in Tamil Nadu. It is a harvest festival to appreciate and thank the Sun God for a good harvest. The four days celebration of Pongal in Tamil Nadu starts with the first day named Bhogi Pongal. Prayers to Lord Indra are made on this day. New things are bought and old things are burnt in the bonfire. The next day, on Thai Pongal, people wear new clothes and couples make offerings of sugarcane and coconut into the rivers. Cows are highly decorated and appreciated on the third day. On the last day of this harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, Kaanum Pongal, families take a visit to their relatives. Gifts are exchanged, and the festival ends on a happy and joyous celebration.
Other major festivals of Tamil Nadu include the Thiruvaiyaru music festival, Thaipusam, Natyanjali dance festival, Mahamaham, Karthigai Deepam, and many other regional and national festivals. People of Tamil Nadu celebrate every festival with extreme joy and enthusiasm.
Dates of festivals that follow the lunar calendar can shift by a day depending on the moon and on official notifications. Please confirm with your state government or employer before planning.