South Indian Festivals - The sweet smell of flowers, the array
of colours, the joyful minds, hearts and souls describe the very essence
of the Indian festivals, an occasion always to cherish.
The Sorcery of Festivals in South India
Festivals have always been a part of India and will stay so forever to add
to India's colour and integrity. Every festival has some or the other
traditional or religious importance. Every day of the year there is a
festival celebrated in some part of the country. Some welcome the seasons
of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon. South Indian Festivals
and a number of these
festivals are common to most parts of India, however, they may be called
by different names in the various parts of the country or may be
celebrated in a different fashion and unique style. South India follows
the Dravidian tradition and has different ways to celebrate their own
festivals.
South Indian Festivals
Karnataka festivals
All the national and religious Karnataka festivals are celebrated here
with equal pomp and zeal. The most vibrant Karnataka festivals is Dussehra,
popularly known as Mysore Dussehra festivals . The
festival is celebrated in a grand style with scores of cultural
performances. Another inimitable festival apart from Mysore Dussehra
festivals in Karnataka is the Karaga which is observed in
Bangalore in the honour of the queen of Pandavas, Draupadi. Karaga is
celebrated on the full moon day of April, the first month of the Kannada
calendar.
Yugadi is the New Year celebration in Karnataka. This
falls on the day after the new moon day in April, the month of Chaitra.
The formation of the Karnataka State is celebrated on the 1st of November
as a state festival.
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra
Pradesh is one such state where all the Hindu festivals are celebrated .
The occassion of Id is rejoiced with great fervour. The
festival of Makar Sankranti holds special place in Andhra
community. This harvest festival is celebrated for 3 days in mid January.
Families arrange a doll show and invite their friends. The New Year
festival falling in the month of April also known as Ugadi
is observed with new set of clothes and sweets. Vinayak
Chaturthi ( Lord Ganesha's birthday) is enjoyed with great enthusiasm.
Even Christmas is rejoiced with gaiety. A widely known
festival in Telangana area that falls on Asviyuja Shuddha Dasami
(September/ October) is the Batakamma Panduga. It is
celebrated for 9 days by married women.
Kerala
Kerala has a long history of festivals that are celebrated here with great
pomp and show. Once here, you'll discover for yourself that festivals have
no end in Kerala. Most popular festivals of the state include
Onam ( Harvest festival of Kerala), Pongal , Thrissur
Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Vishu and Mahashivratrhi.
Being a part of these festivals is in fact an opportunity of experiencing
the state at its cultural best.
Tamil Nadu
Festivals in South India -
Tamil Nadu is famous as " The Temple State Of India".
Pongal
( harvest festival) is one of the local festivals celebrated here. The
fiesta continues for three consecutive days. During this time people wear
new clothes and draw beautiful motifs in front of their houses with rice
flour.The cattle too is decorated and rested during this time. Other
popular festivals of the state include
Float festival,
the
Meenakshi Kalyanam and
Karthigai Deepam.
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