Tamil Festivals 2025 | தமிழ் பண்டிகைகள்

பொங்கல்

Pongal is the most important Tamil harvest festival, celebrating the Sun God and the beginning of the Tamil month Thai. It is a four-day festival of gratitude for a bountiful harvest.

மாட்டுப் பொங்கல்

Mattu Pongal is the third day of the Pongal festival, dedicated to cattle and livestock. Cows and bulls are bathed, decorated, and worshipped for their role in agriculture.

காணும் பொங்கல்

Kaanum Pongal is the fourth and final day of Pongal, dedicated to family outings and social gatherings. 'Kaanum' means 'to visit' – families visit each other and enjoy outdoor activities.

ஆடிப்பெருக்கு

Aadi Perukku celebrates the rising water levels in rivers and the onset of the monsoon season. It is a water festival thanking rivers for their role in agriculture.

போகி

Bhogi is the first day of the four-day Pongal festival. People discard old belongings and burn them in a bonfire, symbolizing new beginnings.

தைப்பூசம்

Thaipusam celebrates Lord Murugan receiving the divine Vel (spear) from Goddess Parvati. Devotees undertake kavadi and other acts of devotion.

மகா சிவராத்திரி

Maha Shivaratri is the great night of Lord Shiva. Devotees fast, stay awake all night, and worship Shiva with special prayers and abhishekam.

பங்குனி உத்திரம்

Panguni Uthiram celebrates divine marriages – Shiva-Parvati, Murugan-Deivanai, and Vishnu-Lakshmi. It falls on the full moon day of the Tamil month Panguni.

சித்திரைத் திருவிழா

The grand Chithirai festival in Madurai celebrates the divine marriage of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, and the coronation of Lord Kallazhagar.

வைகாசி விசாகம்

Vaikasi Visakam celebrates the birth of Lord Murugan. It is one of the most important festivals at Murugan temples across Tamil Nadu.

ஆடி அமாவாசை

Aadi Amavasai is the new moon day in the Tamil month Aadi, dedicated to honoring ancestors (pitru) through special rituals and offerings.

வரலட்சுமி விரதம்

Varalakshmi Vratam is observed by married women to pray for the well-being of their families. It is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

கிருஷ்ண ஜெயந்தி

Krishna Jayanthi celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Devotees fast until midnight and break their fast after special prayers.

விநாயகர் சதுர்த்தி

Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Clay Ganesha idols are made, worshipped, and later immersed in water.

நவராத்திரி

Navaratri is a nine-night festival celebrating the divine feminine. In Tamil Nadu, it features the famous Golu (Kolu) doll display and Saraswati Puja.

விஜயதசமி

Vijayadashami marks the triumphant tenth day after Navaratri, celebrating the victory of good over evil. It is considered the most auspicious day to start new learning.

சரஸ்வதி பூஜை

Saraswati Puja on the ninth day of Navaratri honors the Goddess of Knowledge, Music, and Arts. Books, instruments, and tools are worshipped.

தீபாவளி

Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the biggest celebrations in Tamil Nadu. It celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura and light over darkness.

கார்த்திகை தீபம்

Karthigai Deepam is an ancient Tamil festival of lights predating Deepavali. Homes are illuminated with oil lamps, and the Tiruvannamalai Mahadeepam is the highlight.

கந்த சஷ்டி

Skanda Sashti is a six-day festival celebrating Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadman. Devotees observe strict fasting and recite Kanda Sashti Kavasam.

ஆருத்ரா தரிசனம் (திருவாதிரை)

Arudra Darisanam celebrates Lord Shiva's cosmic dance (Nataraja). It falls on the full moon day in the Tamil month Margazhi when the Arudra star is ascendant.

மகாளய அமாவாசை

Mahalaya Amavasai is the new moon day marking the end of the Pitru Paksha (ancestor fortnight). Special rituals are performed to honor departed ancestors.

ராம நவமி

Rama Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. Temples conduct special pujas and recitations of the Ramayana.

பிரதோஷம்

Pradosham is observed twice a month (on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight) dedicated to Lord Shiva. Evening worship during the Pradosham period is considered very auspicious.

தை அமாவாசை

Thai Amavasai is the new moon day in the Tamil month Thai, dedicated to performing rituals for departed ancestors at sacred rivers and seashores.

சித்ரா பௌர்ணமி

Chitra Pournami is the full moon day in the Tamil month Chithirai. It is associated with Lord Chitragupta who maintains the record of every soul's karma.

கிறிஸ்துமஸ்

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Tamil Nadu has a significant Christian population, and Christmas is celebrated widely with masses, carol singing, and community feasts.

ரம்ஜான் / ஈத் உல் பித்ர்

Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan (month of fasting). Tamil Nadu's Muslim community celebrates with special prayers, feasts, and community gatherings.

பக்ரீத் / ஈத் உல் அத்ஹா

Eid ul-Adha, known as Bakrid in Tamil Nadu, commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. It is celebrated with special prayers and sharing of food.

தமிழ்ப் புத்தாண்டு (புத்தாண்டு)

Tamil New Year marks the first day of the Tamil calendar month Chithirai. Families celebrate with new clothes, special foods, and visiting temples.

திருவள்ளுவர் தினம்

Thiruvalluvar Day honors the great Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, author of the Thirukkural. It is celebrated on the second day of Pongal.

தமிழ் மொழி தினம்

Tamil Language Day celebrates the richness of the Tamil language, one of the oldest living languages in the world with over 2,000 years of literary history.

காரடையான் நோன்பு

Karadaiyan Nombu is a fasting day observed by married Tamil women to pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands.

தமிழர் பாரம்பரிய தினம்

Celebrated on the last day of Pongal to honor Tamil heritage, traditions, and cultural identity through cultural performances and community events.

ஆயுத பூஜை

Ayudha Puja is the worship of tools, instruments, and vehicles on the ninth day of Navaratri. From office equipment to farm tools, everything gets decorated and worshipped.

குரு பெயர்ச்சி

Guru Peyarchi marks the transit of Jupiter (Guru/Brihaspati) from one zodiac sign to another, which occurs approximately every 12 months and affects all zodiac signs.

சனி பெயர்ச்சி

Sani Peyarchi marks Saturn's transit from one zodiac sign to another, occurring every 2.5 years. It is a significant astrological event in Tamil Hindu astrology.

ஆங்கிலப் புத்தாண்டு

While not a traditional Tamil festival, January 1st is widely celebrated across Tamil Nadu with parties, temple visits, and new year resolutions.

அன்னையர் தினம்

Mother's Day is celebrated to honor mothers and motherhood. Tamil culture deeply resperes the mother, and this day has become widely popular.

தந்தையர் தினம்

Father's Day honors fathers and their contribution to families. Tamil culture places great importance on the father figure as protector and provider.

குடியரசு தினம்

India's Republic Day celebrates the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, marking India's transformation into a republic.

சுதந்திர தினம்

India's Independence Day celebrates the nation's freedom from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947.

காந்தி ஜெயந்தி

Gandhi Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, who led India's non-violent freedom struggle.

ஆசிரியர் தினம்

Teachers' Day celebrates the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and honors the invaluable role of teachers in shaping society.

குழந்தைகள் தினம்

Children's Day celebrates the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, who was fondly known as 'Chacha Nehru' for his love of children.

ஜல்லிக்கட்டு

Jallikattu is the ancient Tamil bull-taming sport held during Pongal festival. Participants embrace bulls and attempt to hold on as the bull charges.

மார்கழி கோலம் விழா

During the Tamil month Margazhi, women wake before dawn to draw elaborate kolam (rangoli) patterns at their doorsteps, creating a stunning display of geometric art.

விஷு

While primarily a Kerala festival, Vishu is also celebrated by Tamil communities in border regions. It marks the Kerala New Year and shares similarities with Tamil Puthandu.

ஆடி வெள்ளி

Every Friday in the Tamil month Aadi is considered sacred for Goddess Amman worship. Women visit Amman temples for special prayers and offerings.

ஓணம்

While primarily a Kerala festival, Onam is widely celebrated by the Malayalam-speaking community in Tamil Nadu and border regions, featuring the grand Onam Sadya feast.