Pondicherry Fair and Festivals

Pondicherry Fairs & Festivals

January

1st – New Years Day New Year Celebrations at the hotels, and special prayers at Churches and temples.

4th – 7th International Yoga Festival this festival brings in participants from all over the world between the 4th to the 7th January every year. The festival includes talks, discussions, exchange of ideas, consultation and demonstration of techniques. Classical Indian dance and music programs are held every day.

13th – 16th Pongal Festival

The 4-day South Indian harvest festival

Day 1 : Pongal Eve (Bogi): Spring cleaning and decorating with intricate designs burning of old clothes, mats and the like.
Day 2 : Pongal : Preparation of the ritual Pongal dish in new, painted pots and worshipping the sun god.
Day 3: Mattu Pongal (Cow / Ox Festival) – Cows and Ox are washed, decorated, have their horns painted and are fed pongal in villages.
Day 4: Farmer’s Day : People dress up and visit their friends and relatives or go sight-seeing. This is the most crowded day at the Beaches, Parks and other picnic spots.

26th – Republic Day

The Republic Day parade is held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. The Chied Secretariat, the entire beach road and Raj Niwas (Lt. Governor’s residence) are illuminated attractively.

February

Masi Magam: This Hindu festival is celebrated on the sea shore. In the morning, around 30 sacred images are bathed ritually. In the evening, these are taken in a procession in illuminated cars (chariots).

21st February – The Mother’s Birth Anniversary. Devotees visit Sri Auribindo Ashram starting early in the morning, to visit the Mother’s room.

March and April

Good Friday & Easter Christians attend special services at the Churches.

Chitrai kalai Vizha (Summer Festival)
Department of Art & Culture, Government of Pondicherry organize Indian Classical music and danceses in various places at Pondicherry.

May – August

Villianur Temple Car Festival
A ten day Hindu festival, the temple car with the image of th god is paraded around the town on a full moon day.

July 14th Bastille Day
Pondicherry witnesses Indo-French pageantry.

Veerampattinam Car Festival: Celebrated in Veerampattinam, a fishing village near Ariyankuppam, the temple car with the image of the god is paraded around the village.

Fete De Pondicherry (Festival of Pondicherry)
A cultural pageant, coinciding with Liberation Day and Independence Day. Many cultural programs are held in the evening at various places in Pondicherry.

15th August – Indian Independence Day – The Indian flag is hoisted at various places and the day is celebrated with enthusiasm.

Sri Aurobindo’s Birth Anniversary.
On this day, devotees queue at Sri Aurobindo Ashram starting early in the morning, to visit Sri Aurobindo’s room.

16 August – Pondicherry De Jure Transfer Day – marks Pondicherry’s complete accession to the Indian Union in 1962.

September

Vinayaka Chathurthi: The festival of India's most unbiquitous god, Vinayaka (or Ganesh or Ganapati).

October – November

Navaratri

The nine day festival of the Goddesses Durga (warrior of righteousness), Lakshmi (prosperity) and Saraswati (knowledge and the arts). Hindu houses and temples are decorated with kolu pommai (painted ceramic dolls) particularly in Easwaran Koil at M.G. Road.

Ayudha Puja

Marks the end of Navaratri, as all forms of implements and equipments, including cars and motorcycles are decorated and placed in worship.

Vijayadasami

The day following Ayudha Puja, books are placed I worship and children are encouraged to begin learning.

Deepavali

The new moon between mid-October and mid-November sees the Festival of Light, marking the triumph of Good over Evil. Hindus celebrate the festival with sweet and crackers.

Karthigai Deepam Festival

A three day festival when all Hindu houses are illuminated with traditional lamps.

December

Christmas Season

The Christmas season is the time for beautiful decorations and carol singing in Christian neighborhoods. Shops and houses are hung with perforated star lanterns during this time. Special services are held in the Churches on Christmas /day.