| |
| |
| Kanthuri
Festival |
| A
truly secular festival - where devotees flock to the shrine of saint Quadirwali,
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
- and later the holy sandal paste, renowned for its healing powers, is distributed
to everyone. |
| Kavadi
Festival |
| Dancing
in a hypnotic trance to the rhythm of drums, devotees of Muruga carry the 'Kavadi'
a flower decked decoration, all the way up the Palani Hills to fulfil their vow.
According to Hindu mythology, Idumban is said to have carried two sacred hillocks
on two ends of a pole placed on his shoulders. |
|
Velankanni
Festival |
| Wondrous
legends surround the church-the most famous being that of the ship-wrecked Portuguese
sailors, who in the 16th century, vowed to build a great shrine for the Virgin
Mary, for saving their lives in a terrible storm. The Velankanni festival attracts
thousands, clad in orange robes to the sacred spot where the ship landed. Equally
famous are the Virgin Mary's miraculous healing powers - earning for the church
the name 'Lourdes of the East'. |
|
Navarathri |
| Literally,
this means the festival of 'nine nights' taking unique and different forms in
different states of India - all to propitiate the goddess Sakthi, for power, wealth
and knowledge. |
| Karthigai
Deepam |
| Rows
of glittering earthen lamps outside every home, and the joyous burst of fire crackers
mark Tamil Nadu's Festival of Lights. |
|
Music
Festival |
| Come
December, Chennai celebrates her priceless heritage of caruatic, music and dance
to present a galaxy of star artistes, old and new. |
| <Previous
Page> |
