Fairs & Festivals

South India is a land of colours which can be cherished in its endless list of fairs and festivals. Every festival is a huge event here with its own history. Locals celebrate them with utmost fervour showcasing the richness of their cultures and religions.

Pongal
Pongal remains the most popular festival of South India which marks the harvest season. Its grand festivities can be experienced majorly in Tamil Nadu. This four day festival sees bonfires, preparation of delicacy named Pongal, adorned cattle and mingling of locals.

Onam
Onam, Kerala’s New Year, also holds great importance here. It lasts for 10 days when locals decorate their houses with flowers and palm leaves and kathakali performances are conducted in many areas.

Karthigai Deepam
Karthigai deepam of Tamil Nadu is the state’s own version of Diwali when uncountable small oil lamps are lit in the houses. Thiruvannamalai temple of Lord Shiva sees huge celebrations of Karthigai deepam which glows like a shining star at night.

Hampi Festival
While talking about the festivals of South India, Hampi Festival of Karnataka cannot be missed. This cultural extravaganza sees spectacular music performances, dance puppet shows, fireworks and a showy procession. The festival shows the cultural richness and historical charms of Hampi.

Fire Walking Festival
Do not miss the Fire Walking Festival of Pondicherry which involves fasting of 40 days by the participants. Some extreme rituals are performed during the festival like walking on fire which surprisingly does not harm the feet of participants due to their faith in the divine powers.

Snake Boat Races
South India is extremely popular for its boat races which see huge snake boats (chundan vallam) running over pristine waters with hundreds of rowers rowing them to win.

Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race
It is undoubtedly the most exciting boat race organised in Alleppey. The race is held in the memory of India's late Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru, who was impressed with this unusual competition in 1952 during his visit to Alleppey.

Champakkulam Moolam Boat Race
Champakkulam Moolam Boat Race is another popular boat race hosted in Ambalappuzha where the idol of Hindu God Krishna was installed on this day. It is a pleasure to see uncountable boats adorned with colourful parasols and spectators cheering the participants with songs and performing arts.

Other popular boat races of South India include Aranmula Snake Boat Race, Payippad Boat Race, Karuvatta Boat Race, Thazhathangadi Boat Race, etc.