Tamilnadu, the land with incredible history,rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and progressive outlook.Tamil the official language of the State, is the mother of other Dravidian languages.Tamil Nadu known for its large number of temples with huge towering structures, intricate rock carvings, colourful festivals, classical music and dance which highlight the rich cultural heritage of the state makes it the cultural capital of the country.
Tamil Nadu is the eleventh largest state in India. West and North of the state has lofty hills while the East and South are coastal plains. The bordering states are Kerala to the west, Karnataka to the northwest and Andhra Pradesh to the north. To the east is the Bay of Bengal. The southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula is located in Tamil Nadu. At this point is the town of Kanyakumari which is the meeting point of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean and it has the third longest coastline in the country of about 1000 kilometers or 600 miles.
The climate of the state ranges from dry sub-humid to semi-arid. The state has three distinct periods of rainfall: (1) Advancing monsoon period, South West monsoon (from June to September), with strong southwest winds; (2) North East monsoon (from October to December), with dominant northeast winds; and (3) Dry season (from January to May).
HISTORY
The history of Tamilazham goes back about 5000 years and more. It is the birthplace of Dravidian culture in India. The Chera, Chola and Pandya ruled the Dravidian country from which modern Tamil Nadu formed. In the 4th Century A.D. the Pallavas of Kanchipuram, became the rulers. They dominated the land for 400 years. The rise of muslim power in India had its impact on Tamil Nadu and the establishment of the East India Company at Madras in 1639 was a crucial chapter in the history of Madras.
When India attained independence in 1947, the Madras province,comprising Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala in the west and Andhra Pradesh in the north continued as the State of Madras until the states reorganization Act 1956, when it changed its name to Tamil Nadu. Madras the capital city was renamed as Chennai in 1996.
Festivals of Tamil Nadu
PONGAL
The four-day Harvest festival is celebrated all over the state in January.The festival begins on the last day of the Tamil month with Bhogi Pongal followed by Surya Pongal on the next day. It is on this day that Chakkara Pongal,a delicacy of harvest rice cooked with jaggery, ghee and cashew nuts is offered to the Sun God. The third day, Mattu Pongal is dedicated to the Cattle when cows are bathed and adorned with colourful beads and flowers. Jallikattu, the bullfight is held on the last day known as Kannum Pongal.
Tamil New Year
On the morning of 14 April the Tamil people rise early, bathe dress in their new clothes and gather around the household altar or pooja room for a special religious ceremony. It is the Tamil New Year’s Day. Lord Ganesha is worshipped in the New Year. He is offered fruits, sweets and fresh flowers. In the afternoon people visit the temples. The rest of the day is spent visiting various relatives, friends and exchanging New Year greetings. Presents of money, fruits, betel leaves and areca nuts are given. Business people usually start new account books for the new year on this day.
Mamallapuram Dance Festival
Sit before an open-air 'stage' created 13 centuries ago the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. Lovers of dance will be treated to very unique and unforgettable recitals in Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi dance forms presented by the very best exponents of the art, as well as folk dances.
Natyanjali Dance Festival
The temple city of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja the Cosmic dancer. The setting is within Chidambaram’s gold-roofed temple. The pillars of this temple depict Lord Nataraja in 108 poses or mudras from Bharatha Natyam, Tamil Nadu’s classical dance.
Saral Vizha (Kutrallam or Courtallam)
It is a festival that makes a ritual and a celebration out of a simple, daily bath! And indeed, a bath at these picturesque waterfalls is no ordinary event. The healing waters of the roaring falls are famed for their medicinal properties.
Kanthuri Festival
This festival attracts devotees to the shrine of saint Quaderwali, believed to do equal good to people of all faiths. One of the descendants of the Saint is chosen as a Peer or spiritual leader and is honoured with offerings. On the tenth day of the festival, the Saint's tomb is annointed with sandalwood paste and later this sandal paste, renowned for its healing powers, is distributed to everyone.
Kavadi Festival
Dancing in a hypnotic trance to the rhythm of drums, the devotees of Muruga carry the 'Kavadi' which is a flower decked decoration that is carried on the shoulders, all the way up the Palani Hills to fulfill their vow. According to Hindu mythology, Idumban is said to have placed two sacred hillocks on two ends of a pole and carried them on his shoulders.
Velankanni Festival
Wondrous legends surround and several miracles are attributed to this church. The most famous being that of the Portuguese sailors, who in the 16th century, built a great shrine for the Virgin Mary, after their lives were saved during a terrible storm off the coast of Nagapattinam. The main altar at Velankanni Church carries blue and white tiles of this legend. Miracles of being restored to good health have given the church the name Arokiya Matha Church, meaning the Church of Our Lady of Good Health.
The festival attracts thousands f pilgrims. Many clad in orange robes come to the sacred spot where the ship is said to have landed many centuries ago. The Virgin Mary's miraculous healing powers have earned for the church the name Lourdes of the East. The Velankanni festival is in the month of September. |
