South Indian Festivals

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South Indian Festivals - South India is a land of festivals, with varied cultures and traditions.

They follow Dravidian tradition and has different ways to celebrate their festivals. Most of the festivals of this culture rich land are based on mythology and seasonal change. During the festival time, the cities and villages of South India become vibrant and colorful.

The religious places are adorned with startling lights and the people’s whole-hearted participation and involvement in the way they celebrate these festivals can be seen in amazement. The varieties include Religious Festivals, Temple Festivals, Music and Dance Festivals etc.

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Some of the Major Festivals of South India

Onam, the most important and widely celebrated festival of Kerala State, is the harvest festival lasting for 10 days. Onam festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which usually falls in the month of August/September. This grand south Indian festival is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the State by people of all communities, irrespective of their religion and status. The main features of this festival are Pookkalam, Kaikkottikkali, Onasadhya, Snake Boat Race etc. Click here for more information about Onam.

It is another important festival of South India. Vishu is the New Year festival of Kerala, which is celebrated on the first day of Malayalam month of Medam, usually falls in April. This day is the astronomical New Year Day when the sun crosses the equator. The main features of this festival are Vishukkani (the first sight of articles one should see on this auspicious day), Vishukkainettam (the cash given by elders to the youngsters and dependants and blessing them).

Click here to get more information about Vishu Festival

Varsha Pirappu Festival

This festival of South India is celebrated by the people of Tamil Nadu. It is Tamil New Year's Day. Click here to get more information about Varsha Pirappu

Pongal Festival

Pongal Festival is the main festival of Tamil Nadu. It is a festival of Thanks giving to the Sun, the Earth and the Cow.
Pongal is one of such highly revered festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu. This South Indian festival is celebrated with joyous festivities and rituals to mark the harvesting of crops by farmers, and it usually falls in the month of January every year. It is a four-day Harvest festival of South India and marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Click here to get more information about Pongal Festival

Sri Rama Navami Festival

Sri Rama Navami festival is celebrated all over India. Sri Ram Navami marks the birth of Lord Rama. He was the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who came to the world to kill the demon king Ravana. This grand festival occurs on the ninth day of of Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra, which is during March-April.

Click here to get more information about Sri Rama Navami Festival

Karthigai Deepam Festival

The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated in the Tamil Month of Karthigai which falls in November/December. This is a nine days festival starting from Uthradam day, and considered as the oldest festival of Tamils. Karthigai deepam is celebrated lighting rows of agal vilakkus in front of every house. The lighted lamps are considered as auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy.

Deepavali Festival

Deepavali is a festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is a national festival and celebrated all over the country in October/November. In South India, it is called as Deepavali and celebrated on the victory of Lord Krishna, the Hindu deity, killing the demon king and freed the people from suffering, whereas in North India it is called as Diwali. Click here for more information about Deepavali.

Ugadi Festival

Ugadi is the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar with a change in the moon's orbit. It falls on "Chaitra Masa", the Spring month. This festival usually falls at the end of March or early April. Ugadi is the Festival of Karnataka and also the Festival of Andhra Pradesh in South India, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The main feature of this festival is Bevu Bella in Karnataka and Ugadi Pachadi in Andhra Pradesh. More info here.

Makara Sankranthi Festival

Makara Sankranthi is the harvest festival of the people of Andhra Pradesh. It is celebrated for three days with all grandeur and usually falls in the middle of January. The first day is Bhogi, the second day is Sankranti and the third day is Kanuma. Click here for more information about this Festival.

Dusserah (Dasara) Festival Dusserah Festival is celebrated all over India, but in Karnataka it is celebrated as Mysore Dusserah in the honour of Goddess Chamundesseri who killed the great demon, Mahishasura. It is a 10-day festival. On the day of Dussehra, a procession of caparisoned elephants carrying the idol of goddess Chamundi is taken through the city. The city of Mysore is synonymous with its annual Dusshera procession.

This south Indian festival is also called as Vijaya Dashami. Click here for more information about Festival of Dasara/Vijayadashami.

Vinayaka Chaturthi Festival

Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated as the Birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, which falls in August-September. This festival is also known as Vinayaka Chavithi and Ganesh Chaturthi.It is celebrated all over India, but more elaborately in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa. Click here for more information aboutthis festival.

Mahashivaratri Festival

Mahashivaratri festival is a national festival and celebrated on the fourteenth night of the full moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. It falls on a moonless night of February-March, when Hindus offer special prayers to Lord Shiva. Shivaratri is the night when he is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya. The festival is observed for one day and one night only. The day is spent on fasting and chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" and the night is kept awake. Click here to get more information about Shivratri.

Sri Krishna Jayanthi (Gokulashtami)

Sri Krishna Jayanthi Festival is the celebration of the birth day of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation ofLord Vishnu, on earth. He was born to free Mother Earth from the wickedness of demons and is celebrated all over the country. It is also known as Krishnaashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Krishna Jayanthi etc. This festival occurs on the eight day of the dark half of the month Shravan of the Indian calendar. This occurs between August and September. For more info, read this article. Sri Krishna Jayanthi - Janmashtami

Christmas Festival. Christmas is celebrated all over India. In southern area, it is celebrated in a grand way. Click here for more information about Christmas

You can find more Festivals of Kerala here

You can find more Festivals of Karnataka here

You can find more Festivals of Tamil Nadu here

You can find more Festivals of Andhra Pradesh here

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There are several festivals in this mystic land of India, throughout the year and each of these festivals are celebrated in each area in a unique way.

There are so many legends behind each festival, interesting and thought provoking.

Please do share with us about your favorite festival, and how you enjoyed it, what made it so memorable to you? Onam? Pongal? Sankranthi? Diwali? Christmas? Or.... any festival?

What special food you made for the festival?

We would love to hear from you. Do share it with us?