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PONGAL,
Tamil
Nadu
(14th
January)
It marks
the
harvest
festivities
of the
agricultural
communities.
It is
observed
for
three
days is
celebrated
as a
family
festival.
Surya
Pongal,
the
second
day, is
dedicated
to the
Sun (Surya).
Mattu
Pongal
is the
third
day, and
is also
the day
when
cattle
is
decorated
with
ornamens.
Pongal
(rice
cooked
in milk
and
jaggery)
is
boiled
and
offered
to the
Sun on
this
day.
Friends
greet
one
another
by
asking,
“Has the
Pongal
brimmed
over in
the
pot?” An
answer
in the
affirmative
is
followed
by great
rejoicing.
UGADI,
Andhra
Pradesh/
Karnataka
(April)
The New
Year
Festival
or Ugadi
follows
Holi
(the
Festival
of
Colours).
The
Flame of
the
Forest
(a tree
with
scarlet
flowers)
is in
full
bloom
during
the
season,
signifying
a time
of
affluence
and
beauty.
It is
believed
that the
creator
of the
Hindu
pantheon,
Lord
Brahma,
started
his work
of
creation
on this
day.
Also the
great
Indian
mathematician
Bhaskaracharya’s
calculations
proclaimed
Ugadi as
the
beginning
of new
life.
Ugadi is
heralded
with the
heavy
perfume
of
jasmine
blooms.
The
flower
is woven
into
garlands
and
offered
to the
gods. It
also
finds
favour
with
young
girls,
who wear
clusters
of it in
their
long
braids
of hair.
NAVRATRI,
Gujarat
(September/October)
TNavratri
is the
celebration
for the
divine
goddess,
Durga.
According
to the
Hindu
calendar,
the
festival
occurs
four
times a
year but
the one
in the
month of
Ashwin
(September/October)
is the
most
popular.
During
the
festivities,
the
streets
throng
with
devotees
performing
the
Garbas
and the
Raas
(unique
folk
dance
forms),
especially
in the
state of
Gujarat.
NATYANJALI
FESTIVAL,
Chidambaram
(February/
March)
A
five-day
utsav
that
coincides
with a
week
prior to
Shivratri.
Dancers
from all
over the
country
pay
tribute
to Lord
Nataraja
(Lord
Shiva).
FETE
DE
PONDICHERRY
/ YOGA
FESTIVAL,
Pondicherry
(15th-17th
August)
A
cultural
pageant,
coinciding
with the
Liberation
Day of
the
state.
The Park
monument
is
brilliantly
decorated
with
lights.
NISHAGANDHI
FESTIVAL,
Thiruvananthapuram
(5th
April)
A
festival
of dance
and
music in
Kerala.
CHENNAI
MUSIC
SEASON,
Chennai
(December/
January)
The
season
begins
in the
first
week of
December
and goes
on till
mid-January.
It
promises
a
sumptuous
treat to
the
rasikas
(local
enthusiasts)
and
tourists
alike.
For it
celebrates
Carnatic
Music
and its
expression
in
vocal,
instrumental,
as well
as dance
forms.
MAMALLAPURAM
DANCE
FESTIVAL,
Tamil
Nadu
(25th
December
– 30th
January)
Dancers
and
musicians
participate
from
across
the
country,
in this
festival.
It is
conducted
with
Arjuna’s
Penance,
at
Mamallapuram,
as its
backdrop.
HAMPI
DANCE
FESTIVAL,
Karnataka
(1st
week of
November)
The
ruins of
the
magnificent
city of
Hampi,
353
kilometres
from
Bangalore,
come
alive
during
this
dance
and
music
fiesta
Hampi
was once
the
capital
of the
ancient
Vijaynagar
Empire
(one of
the most
powerful
in the
country).
Its
ruins of
stone
temples,
elephant
stables,
barracks
and
palaces
offer a
fascinating
glimpse
into the
lives of
the
people
who once
resided
there.
The
Hampi
Festival
is a
concoction
of
dance,
drama,
music,
fireworks,
puppet
shows
and
spectacular
processions
that
recreate
the
grandeur
of the
bygone
era..
THRISSUR
POORAM,
Kerala
(April-May)
The
Thrissur
Pooram
Festival
is a
mammoth
spectacle
with
rows
upon
rows of
caparisoned
elephants
bedecked
with
ornaments.
The
elephants
face
each
other in
two
straight,
disciplined
rows –
with the
grace
and
nobility
of a
royal
entourage.
The
ancient
resonance
of
Panchavadhyam,
the five
instruments
comprising
the
conch,
cymbals,
trumpet
and two
kinds of
drums,
build up
the
final,
glorious
crescendo
of the
spectacle.
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