Tamil Festivals, A Glance

Hindu Festivals

Thai Pongal 

Pongal is one of the major festivals for Tamils and often referred to as "thamizhar thirunaaL". At the beginning of the tamil month "thai" it is celebrated for three days: first day devoted to getting rid of old things (Bhogi), second day involves main Pongal celebrations followed by Maattu Pongal on the third day. Many extend these to a fourth day called "kannip pongal" or "kaaNum pongal" when youngers go around and seek the blessings of the elders. On Bhogi day, a bon fire is lit with all the agricultural and household wastes.

Thai Poosam

Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati is worshipped in Tamil Nadu on Thai Pusam. Special Poojas and festivities take place on this Poosam day in the Murugan Temples of Palani, Thiruttani,... and also at the Vandiyur Mariamman Temple (near Madurai).

Maasi Maham

Celebrated on the Makam day in the tamil month of Maasi. On this day, the deities are taken around in procession to the nearby rivers/tanks/sea for bath.

Maha Sivarathri

Maha Sivarathri is a festival day devoted to Lord Siva, celebrated on the amavaasai day in the month of Maasi. Sivaratri also signifies the end of winter and the arrival of spring.

Ugaadi, Telugu New Year's Day

It is believed that the creator of the Hindu pantheon Lord Brahma started creation on this Ugadi day.

Sri Rama Navami

Sri Rama Navami as a festival marks the birth of Lord Rama but is celebrated and worshipped in the form of re-creating the wedding between Lord Rama and Sita by the Hindus seeking well being of all people.

Panguni Uthiram

Panguni Uthiram is celebrated as the Wedding day for the Gods/Celestial couples in all temples of Tamilnadu.

Tamil New Year Day

As the name indicates, this day marks the beginning of the Tamil New Year (and the tamil month Chithirai).

Chitra Pournami 

The pournami day in the tamil month of Chitrai is celebrated in a grand manner for nearly a week ("chithirath thiruvizha") in Madurai Temples. 

Vaikasi Visakam 

The pournami day of the tamil month Vaikasi is celebrated in grand manner in Murugan Temples (Palani, Thiruchendoor,...) when large number of people go to the temple carrying "Kavadi".

Aadi pandigai 

Aadi perukku 

Celebrated on the 18th day of the tamil month Aadi in Kaveri River basin districts of Tanjore and Trichi when the water level in the river rises significantly high. 

Aadi amaavaasai
Aadi pooram 

Andal, the incarnation of Mother Earth, Bhoodevi, is one of the twelve Alwars, great devotees of Vishnu. "Aadi Pooram" and "Aani Thirumanjanam" are important festivals to Andal. 

Krishna Jayanthi/Gokulashtami

The birth of Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu in the Dwapar Yuga, is celebrated all over India as Krishna Janmashtami.

Janmashtami 

The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu and the author of the Bhagavad Gita (Song Celestial), is observed all over.

Ganesha Chaturthi

Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati is widely worshipped as the munificent god of wisdom.

Dasara/Navarathi, Saraswathi Pooja, Vijaya Dhasami

This is among the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar and comes as the finale of the nine-day festival, Navaraatri. 

Dussehra and Durga Puja 

Among the most popular of all festivals, it symbolises the triumph of good over evil. 

Vijayadashmi or Dussera

Vijayadashmi or Dussera, the day of victory, after nine days of battle is celebrated by all Hindu families. Dussera is one of the four auspicious days of the year.

Deepavali /Diwali

Deepavali, the festival of lights, comes close on the heels of Dasara. It is a festival that marks the victory of good over evil. Deepavali means a "row of lights", and it brings along with it glowing happiness and the touch of sparklers all around.

Vaikunta Ekadasi

Ekaadasi, the 11th day of the lunar fortnight is auspicious to Vishnu. Vaikunta Ekaadasi, falling in December- January, is celebrated as a special festival when the "gates of Heaven" ceremoniously open for devotees to enter.

Holi

Full moon in the month of Phalgun (late February or early March). This is pre-eminently the spring festival of Bharat.

Onam

Kerala's most popular festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm, it is primarily a harvest festival. 

Trichur pooram festival
The incomparable festival of festivals, held every year in April- May in the cultural capital of Kerala is to be celebrated on 25th and 26th of April this year. 

Buddha Purnima

The poornima or the full moon in the month of Vaishak is an auspicious day when one of the Dasaavataras the Buddha avatar came into being.

Christian Festivals

Good Friday

Services and recitals of religious music are held in hundreds of churches all over India and Sri Lanka. 

Easter

The Christian belief in the resurrection of Christ is celebrated with enthusiasm by the members of the community. Processions are taken out in some parts of the country.

Christmas

Born nearly two thousand years ago, Christians believe Him to be the Son of God. Whether Jesus was really born on December 25th, no one can say for certain. It was chosen because it already was a holiday in ancient times -a pagan feast.

Muslim Festivals

Ramzan

The holy month of Ramzan is very auspicious to the Muslims the world over. It is believed that God will shower His blessings on those who pray to God whole heartedly, with complete devotion, surrendering themselves totally to His will.

Id-ul-Fitr

Celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting. It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing. 

Bakrid

Bakrid, the festival of sacrifice is an important celebration, which falls on the last month of the Islamic Calendar.

Muharram

Muharram is about the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (Raji An) and his family by laying down their lives at Karbala (in present day Iraq) for the protection of democracy. 

Miladi Nabi

Milad-un-nabi marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). It is believed that Muhammad (PBUH) was sent by God as the last messenger for the renaissance of Islam. 

06:09 Share: