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Just
like the other Indian places, Chennai also celebrates a number
of festivals. The festivals are mainly based on the agricultural
activities and according to the position of the stars and
planets. Pongal, celebrated in the month of January, is the most
important festival of Chennai. Being a cosmopolitan city, almost
all the religious festivals are celebrated here.
Pongal is a highly revered festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu to
mark the harvesting of crops by farmers. Celebrated in the
middle of january, it is the time when the people get ready to
thank God, earth and their cattle for the wonderful harvest and
celebrate the occasion with joyous festivities and rituals.
Pongal continues through the first four days of Thai month that
starts in the mid-January and spreads to mid-February. The
houses are cleaned, painted and decorated. Kolams (ground
patterns made out of rice flour) are made in the front yards of
the houses and new clothes for the whole family are bought to
mark the festivities. Even the cattle are gaily caparisoned with
beads, bells and flowers-their horns painted and capped with
gleaming metals. Pongal has been designated the "State Festival"
for its unique celebration that is typical of Tamil Nadu. It is
a festival that encompasses all of Tamil Nadu in its joyous
embrace. It is a time when the poor, the rich, the villager all
celebrate the harvest festival together.
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