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Tamilnadu Fairs & Festivals
Pongal 
Pongal
is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. People extend their tribute to the Sun,
Nature and the Cattle wealth for helping them with a rich harvest and Prosperity.
The traditional preparation of 'Pongal' i.e. boiling rice with jaggery and milk,
takes place at every home. At dawn on this day families everywhere gather around
a new earthen pot. As the pot of milk boils over, signifying prosperity, a shout
of "Pongalo Pongal" rents the air. This thanks- giving festival is celebrated
on the first day of the Tamil Month Thai (Middle Of January).
Tourist
Fair ( Fairlands or Island Garounds - Chennai ) In January, the sun gets
into a pleasant holiday mood and Chennai gets a cool respite from her famous hot
weather ! Time for family outings to the colourful Tamilnadu Tourism Development
Corporation Trade Fair. The exhibition presents a panorama of Tamil Nadu - all
her places of tourist interest, her cultural wealth and economic progress.
Chithirai Festival - Madurai The Chithirai Festival is held in
the famous Madurai temple, 500 kms. from Chennai. Starts from the Tamil month
Chithirai, and ends on the tenth day. Madurai brings you a spectacular re-enactment
of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar. You
can witness an ancient legend unfold right before your eyes as Lord Vishnu rides
to his sister's wedding on gleaming real-gold horse chariot The celebration is
filled with pomp and festivity. The Kallagar entering the river Vaigai is indeed
a spectacular soul-ful sight.
Dance Festivals - Mamallapuram
The Dance Festival starts on the 25th
of
December every year and conducted on all Saturdays. Sundays and Government holidays,
upto February first week. Sit before an open-air 'stage' created 13 centuries
ago the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea
in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. Lovers of dance will be treated to a very
unique and unforgettably aesthetic event : Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali
and Odissi, presented by the very best exponents of the art besides folk dances.
Natyanjail Dance Festivals Starts from the day of Mahashivarathri
for 5 days. Chidambaram 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 setting is truly divine-Chidambaram's gold-roofed
temple, with pillars depicting Lord Nataraja in 108 poses from Bharatha Natyam
- Tamil Nadu's classical dance.
Mahamagam Festival A holy
festival that will bring you to Kumbakonam once in 12 years - the temple city
that gets its name from "Kumbha" - the divine pot. Legend has it that
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 - spilling the nectar into the
famous Mahamagam tank at the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple.
Aurbathimoovar
Festival Literally, 'Arubathimoovar' refers to the
63 saints of Shiva canonised for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance.
Bronze figures of these 63 saints adorn the magnificent Kapaliswar Temple at Mylapore,
Chennai. Once, every year, they are carried in a colourful procession through
the streets of Mylapore.
Summer Festivals The summer festival
might find you in the 'Queen of Hill Stations', the evergreen Ooty; the exquisite
Kodaikkanal or the salubrious heights of Yercaud - where boat races, flower and
fruit shows are specially organised. Also, a splendid opportunity to go trekking
in any of Tamil Nadu's other hill stations that promise unforgettable holidays
off the beaten track.
Saral Vizha ( Kuttalm or Courtallm )
A festival that makes a celebration out of a simple, daily ritualbathing ! And
indeed, a bath at the picturesque Courtallam waterfalls is no ordinary event.
The healing waters of the roaring Courtallam are famed for their medicinal properties.
Kanthuri Festival A truly secular festival - where devotees flock
to the shrine of saint Quadirwali, 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 honoured with offerings. On the tenth day of the festival, the Saint's
tomb is annointed with sandalwood - and later the holy sandal paste, renowned
for its healing powers, is distributed to everyone.
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