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Tamil Nadu Festivals
Tamil Nadu's festival calendar is anchored by the Tamil solar calendar. The year begins with Puthandu (Tamil New Year) in April, followed by Chithirai Thiruvizha at Madurai. The harvest festival Pongal in January is the biggest 4-day celebration. Karthigai Deepam lights up entire cities in November, and Vaikuntha Ekadashi at Srirangam draws over a million devotees.
Pongal (4 days)
📅 January 14-17
Harvest festival — Bhogi, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kaanum Pongal
Thai Pusam
📅 January-February (Pusha nakshatra)
Murugan devotion — kavadi processions
Puthandu (Tamil New Year)
📅 April 14
First day of Chithirai month
Chithirai Thiruvizha
📅 April
Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar marriage at Madurai (12 days)
Aadi Perukku
📅 August (18 Aadi)
River worship of Cauvery
Vinayaka Chaturthi
📅 August-September
Ganesha festival
Navaratri / Golu
📅 September-October
9 nights of Devi, doll display (Bommai Golu)
Ayudha Puja + Vijayadashami
📅 October
Worship of tools; new learning begins
Deepavali
📅 October-November
One-day celebration, unlike North India
Karthigai Deepam
📅 November-December
Festival of lights on Karthigai Purnima at Arunachala Hill
Vaikuntha Ekadashi
📅 December-January
Northern gate of Vishnu opens at Srirangam
Other states
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