Pongal :
Pongal is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai. It is considered to be an auspicious month. The Sun God is worshipped. In rural areas, people gather in front of their houses and cook pongal in new pots. Stoves are made with clay and wood is used as fuel. When the pongal is almost made, everybody shouts in ecstasy pongal o pongal. When milk is boiled, if it overflows, it is believed to be a sign of a prosperous agricultural during the coming season.

People visit their friends and relatives. Pongal food and sweets are exchanged among neighbours and relatives. The sugarcane crop ripens at the time of Pongal. Sugarcane is harvested and it is available in markets and children can be seen crunching sugarcane.

Mattu Pongal :
The next day January 15, is the day for farm animals especially the bulls. Most farmers still use them to plough and till the land for irrigation. The farmer would find it difficult to survive without the bull. Bulls, cows and other farm animals are worshipped on this day. Bull fights or Manju Virattu also takes place on this day. These fights are also called Jalli Kettu.

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.

Mahamagam Festival :
This holy festival takes place once in 12 years and it will bring you to Kumbakonam the temple city that gets its name from the Kumbha or the divine pot. Legend has it that Brahma, the Creator, held a pot containing nectar and the seeds of creation. Shiva in the form of a hunter shot an arrow at the pot and spilt the nectar into the famous Mahamagam tank at the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple.

Summer Festival :
The summer festival might find you in the Queen of Hill Stations, the evergreen Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam. There is a flower and fruit show and the boat race. In the other hill resorts, Kodaikkanal or the salubrious heights of Yercaud too there are boat races, flower and fruit shows that are specially organised. It offers a splendid opportunity to go trekking in any of Tamil Nadu's other hill stations that promise you an unforgettable holiday.