Festivals are a wonderful way to stay connected with extended family and enjoy delicious food. However, they are primarily celebrated to welcome seasonal changes. Tamil Nadu is renowned for its grand festivals, which feature beautiful rangolis, vibrant silks, flowers, temple celebrations, and, of course, an abundance of festival food! Here are 7 popular festivals in Tamil Nadu that you can plan your visits around.
Tamil Nadu, one of the southern Indian states, has maintained its traditions, with its festivals offering a glimpse into the state’s rich cultural history. Different regions of Tamil Nadu celebrate these festivals throughout the year with great enthusiasm. Here, you can explore the popular festivals of Tamil Nadu and experience its colorful culture and festivities, which are a must-see at least once.
Visiting Tamil Nadu during the local festivals can provide valuable insights into the culture and religious traditions of the Tamil people.
How many festivals are celebrated in Tamil Nadu?
The Tamils take great pride in the 7 most popular festivals of Tamil Nadu, which are celebrated worldwide by people of Tamil origin. Most of these festivals have religious significance to popular Hindu deities like Surya or Nataraja and are celebrated with traditional festive foods shared with friends and family. Temple visits, pujas, and rituals are also integral to most of the famous festivals in Tamil Nadu.
Here’s the bucket list of the most popular festivals of Tamil Nadu that are worth attending during your trip to Tamil Nadu:
Pongal Festival Tamil Nadu
Pongal is the most important harvest festival celebrated by the people of Tamil Nadu. It is the most important harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, lasting for 4 days normally from January 15th to January 18th every year. This festival is a gesture of appreciation to the Sun God.
Pongal is also the name of a famous dish in South India, often prepared during festivals. The festive month is called Margali, during which houses are whitewashed and prepared for Pongal. The main Pongal celebration takes place on the second day and is known as Thai Pongal (Thai being the 10th month in the Tamil Calendar). It’s a time when people dress in their traditional attire.
Natyanjali Dance Festival Tamil Nadu
Venue: Thillai Natarajar temple, Chidambaram
Festival date: It starts 05 days prior of Maha Shivaratri, and the main festival falls on 26th February 2025.
The word ‘Natya’ means dance and ‘Anjali’ means offering. On this day, dancers pay tribute to Lord Nataraja by offering their dance. This festival is best celebrated at the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.
It is a day when around 300-400 dancers from all over India showcase their unique dance styles such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Kathak, and more.
The festival is usually celebrated in February or March and lasts for five days, starting on the day of Maha Shivratri. Dancers wear traditional attire representing the diversity of Indian culture. The festival promotes the message of ‘Unity in Diversity‘ by bringing together dancers from different backgrounds for a common cause.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Tamil Nadu
Venue: Arunachala hill, Tiruvannamalai
Festival Date: 13th December 2024
Karthigai Deepam is one of the oldest festivals in Tamil Nadu, celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai when the star Krithigai is ascendant. It is known as the ‘Festival of Lights‘ and occurs on the day when the moon aligns with the constellation Karthigai. In 2024, it will be on the 13th of December.
According to mythological beliefs, Lord Shiva, with his divine power, created Lord Muruga, and the Shivalinga placed in the temple here is Agni Linga. During this festival, people light small lamps representing the Agni Linga. The festival is celebrated in Tiruvannamalai, attracting people from far and wide.
The main idea of this festival is to ward off negativity and welcome positivity. Tamil Nadu celebrates this festival for 10 days. People wear new clothes, exchange gifts, and try to meet all their relatives during the festival. A fair is also held on this day, which is one of the main attractions. This festival is one of the best celebrations in Tamil Nadu, and trust me when I say this, you need to be there!
Mamallapuram Dance Festival
Venue: Near Arjuna Penance or Seashore temple complex, Mahabalipuram
Festival Date: The date will be finalized by the Department of Tourism & Government of Tamil Nadu at the end of November or the first week of December. However, it will probably start after December 15, 2024.
Duration: 30 Days
The Mamallapuram Dance Festival is organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, and takes place in Mahabalipuram every year in December and January. This 30-day festival is a visual delight for art enthusiasts. The backdrop of the Shore Temple, along with the vibrant performances, makes for a memorable experience.
Renowned artists perform Indian classical dances such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Mohini Attam, Odissi, Kathak, and others on an open-air stage against the magnificent backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures. Additionally, folk dancers add a local flavor to the celebration. Over the years, the dance festival has become one of the most popular cultural events in the southern state of India.
Margazhi Maha Utsavam or Music and Dance Festival Chennai
Venue: Music Academies in Chennai
Festival Date: Dates will be finalized only in December or January
Music and Dance Festival of Chennai takes place during the Margazhi month (mid-December to mid-January) of the Tamil calendar, and provides a platform for both young talents and established legends to showcase their skills.
During this festival, the temples and auditoriums in Chennai will be filled with the melodies of classical music and the rhythms of dance. This is all part of the famous Margazhi festival, now known as the Music and Dance Festival of Chennai, which attracts artists from all over the country.
Solo and group performances, featuring all forms of classical dances, are held in temples, heritage bungalows, and auditoriums. Clients must reserve tickets in advance to attend performances held in various halls, sabhas, and music academies in Chennai. The show will feature a variety of vocalists, instrumentalists, and dancers. It’s a feast for those who love music.
Vaikunta Ekadasi: Opening of Paradise Door at Sri Rangam Temple
Venue: Sriranganathaswamy temple, Trichy
Date: 10th January 2025
Vaikunta Ekadasi is a significant Hindu festival that occurs on the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight in the traditional Hindu calendar. This festival spans 20 days, with the first 10 days being celebrated during the day and the next 10 days being celebrated at night. Visitors in Trichy can observe the daytime and nighttime celebrations, which are especially interesting to witness. The festival is most elaborately celebrated by Vaishnavites and holds great importance in Tirupati Balaji Temple and Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, as well as in all temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations in South India.
A key ritual of this festival is the opening of the Paradise door in Vishnu Temples, which is only done on Vaikunta Ekadasi. Devotees can pass through this door, symbolically representing entry into Vaikunta – the abode of Lord Vishnu.
Devotees are welcome to visit and walk through the paradise door, though they should be prepared to wait in a queue, which can take up to 2 hours. It’s important to note that the Sanctum of Trichy Sri Rangam temple will be closed on Vaikunta Ekadasi day. Visitors can expect a vibrant and colorful crowd at the temple, with a couple of lakhs of people attending the celebration. Due to the large crowd, vehicles will be stopped 1 km away from the temple for parking, and all visitors will need to walk at least a kilometre to reach the temple.
Thaipusam Tamil Nadu
Date: 11th February 2025
Thaipusam is celebrated in Tamil Nadu on a full moon day in the month of Thai in the Tamil calendar. The festival marks the Birthday of Lord Subramaniam, the younger son of Lord Shiva. The main highlight of the festival is when the devotee, known as a ‘Kavadi bearer‘, carries the ‘Kavadi’.
As part of the ‘Kavadi’ ritual, the devotees carry two pots attached to a long stick containing rice, milk, and other offerings that they wish to present to the Lord, and carry these to the temple. The most challenging form of Kavadi offering is known as the Agni-Kavadi. This is where the devotee, while carrying the Kavadi over his shoulder, walks on burning coals.
Conclusion
Now that you have gained insight into the 7 most popular festivals of Tamil Nadu, it’s time to plan a travel itinerary for Tamil Nadu in advance to experience these rich and colorful Tamil festivals with the local vibe. Besides being religious observances, Tamil Nadu festivals are also occasions for social reunions.
They are truly a part of the everyday life of the locals and reflect the glorious culture of Tamil Nadu. We provide you with a valuable opportunity to be a part of the various religious fairs and festivals in Tamil Nadu through our tour packages. Come with us on tours to Tamil Nadu and enjoy every moment of the celebration.
