The ‘temple city of India‘ – Tamilnadu always enchants everyone with its uniquely vibrant culture and traditions, architecturally marvelous ancient temples, sacred pilgrimages, astounding UNESCO world heritage sites, opulent art and craft, gorgeous beaches, enchanting hill stations, delectable cuisines and lots more, making it an incredible place to quench your thirst for exploration. The colourful and extraordinary festivals of Tamilnadu reflects the very essence of its rich culture and are so enriching that it leaves the visitors in awe.
The most significant and much-awaited festival of Tamilnadu is Pongal. Regarded as the most auspicious event and the popular harvest festival of the state, Pongal is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety for four days which usually falls on January 14th every year. The entire state gets into a festive mood with every house freshly painted and decorated with flowers and Kolams, happy cries of ‘Pongalo Pongal‘ fills the air as the milk rice boils over the earthen pots which are offered to the Sun God. People indulge in activities like singing, dancing, kite flying, etc during the Pongal Festival. The popular bull-taming sport ‘Jallikattu‘ is the major attraction of Pongal festivity. This year, Pongal Festival falls on January 14, 2020, and continues till January 17, 2020.
Making a trip to Tamilnadu during the Pongal Festival is a truly rewarding experience where you can explore the vibrant culture and traditions of the state, witness the real Pongal fervor and discover some of the most beautiful places of the state.
Here is our pick of Best Places To Visit in Tamilnadu To Spend The Pongal Holidays. All you need to do is pick the best from it that suits you:
Madurai:
Visit Madurai to enjoy the true vibe of the Pongal Festival. The fervor and festivity surrounding Pongal Festival continue for four days in Madurai with temples conducting special rituals, farmers displaying the harvested products before the Sun God as thanksgiving ritual, and other grand celebrations all across the state.
The main attraction of Madurai during this festive time is the ‘Jallikattu‘ and the Pongal Tourism Festival organized by Tamilnadu Tourism. The Pongal Tourism Festival conducts village visits and offers a chance to witness cultural programs like Bharathanatyam, Kargattam, etc, preparation of ‘Pongal‘ dish and ‘Jallikattu‘ sport. The famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple, Koodal Azhagar Temple, Thirumalai Naykar Mahal, Samanar Hills, etc are some of the must-visit tourist attractions in Madurai.
Thanjavur:
Thanjavur is a special place, worth a visit to witness the fervor of the Pongal Festival in all its traditional charm. The place exudes a festive vibe with houses adorned with beautiful decorations, colourful Kolams, and flower garlands. During this festive time, the Department of Tourism Government of Tamilnadu organizes the Pongal Tourist Festival in Thanjavur which includes village visits, Pongal demonstrations, traditional games, bullock cart ride and folk dances, attracting hundreds and thousands of tourists from all across the world.
The celebration of Mattu Pongal at the famous Brihadeeshwara Temple which encompasses offering worship to the cows is a major highlight of the Pongal Festival in Thanjavur. Brihadeeshwara Temple, Thanjavur Royal Palace, Gangaikondacholapuram Temple, Airavatheshwara Temple, Seforji Saraswathi Mahal Library, etc are some of the popular tourist attractions in Thanjavur.
Salem:
Visit Salem to witness the unique Pongal celebration. The main specialty of the Pongal Festival in Salem is the traditional activity of ‘Fox Darshan’. The villagers, forage the nearby forest for a fox which they carry back to the village to worship during the Pongal Festival and it is then returned to the forest after the worship. During the Pongal Festival, cattle are also worshipped in Salem.
c Oothumalai Hills, 1008 Lingam Temple, Kalangi Siddhar Temple, Kurumbapatti Zoological Park, Mookaneri Lake are some of the must-visit tourist attractions in Salem.
Coimbatore:
Coimbatore is another wonderful place to visit in Tamilnadu to celebrate the Pongal Festival. Fun, fervor and festivity of Pongal are at its peak in Coimbatore. The entire city gets into a festival mood with dazzling lights everywhere, colourful Kolams and flower decorations embellishing every house, singing, dancing, and grand celebrations all around.
Coimbatore is a paradise for shopaholics, especially the festive shopping here is a wonderful experience. Coimbatore is a famous holiday getaway in Tamilnadu, bustling with many tourist attractions like the famous Adi yogi Shiva Statue, Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Siruvani Waterfalls, Botanical Garden, Gedee Car Museum, Velliangri Mountains and lot more.
Pollachi:
Pollachi is a popular weekend getaway in Tamilnadu with scenic tourist attractions, breathtaking sights and great road. Pollachi is dotted with many agricultural fields and farms, hence Pongal Festival is of great significance here.
The place is also known for its spellbinding tourist attractions like Top slip, Aliyar Dam, Udumalaipettai, Pollachi Ayyappan Temple, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Monkey Falls, and so on.
Mahabalipuram:
A visit to Tamilnadu is incomplete without visiting the Groups of monuments at Mahabalipuram, which are renowned UNESCO world heritage sites. Mahabalipuram is one of the best places to spend the Pongal holidays in Tamilnadu.
This incredible land exposes you to some of the excellent pieces of architectural marvels of various dynasties that ruled the region that reflects its rich history and glorious past. Some of the must-visit tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram are the Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance, Pancha Rathas, Krishna’s Butterball, Mahishasuramardhini Cave, Varaha Cave, Olakkanesvara Temple, etc.
Kodaikanal:
An enchanting tourist destination in Tamilnadu, Kodaikanal is worth a visit during the Pongal holidays. With a pleasant climate throughout the year and scenic landscape dotted with gorgeous valleys, cloud-capped mountains, beautiful lakes, breathtaking waterfalls and mist-clad cliffs, Kodaikanal is a much-loved hill station in Tamilnadu among the tourists as well as locals.
Kodai Lake, Green Valley View, Bear Shola Falls, Coaker’s Walk, Dolphin’s Nose, etc are some of the popular tourist attractions in Kodaikanal.
Kanyakumari:
One of the most iconic tourist destinations in India, Kanyakumari boasts of breathtaking mountains, undulating valleys, vibrant seashores lined with paddy fields and coconut trees, amazing temples and churches.
The sight of confluence of three oceans – the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean at Kanyakumari is awe-inspiring, and it is one of the best places in Tamilnadu to spend the Pongal holidays. Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Thirparappu falls, etc are some of the popular tourist attractions in Kanyakumari.
Valparai:
The visually soothing greenery, beautiful roads, abundant wildlife, splendid dams and reservoirs, beautiful lakes, and sparkling waterfalls, make Valparai a mesmerizing tourist destination in Tamilnadu. The road trip to Valparai is so exciting with 40 steep hairpin bends and alluring scenic vistas.
If you wish to spend the Pongal holidays in Tamilnadu, Valparai is an ideal pick which is sure to enchant you with its unique charm. Indira Gandi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Chinnakallar Waterfalls, Sholayar Dam, Birla Falls, etc are some of the must-visit tourist attractions in Valparai.
Courtallam/Kutrallam:
Kutrallam is a nature lover’s paradise sprawling greenery, spellbinding cascades of waterfalls, picturesque surroundings and fresh air to breathe in. It is amongst one of the most beautiful holiday spots in Tamilnadu.
One can spend a relaxing and refreshing Pongal holiday amidst nature at Kutrallam. Shenbaga Falls, Five Falls, Main Falls, Palaruvi Waterfalls are the must-visit tourist attractions in Kutrallam.
Ooty:
The alluring hill station of Ooty embellished with rolling hills, green-carpeted valleys, offering serenity and awe-inspiring sunset views is worth a place to spend the Pongal holidays.
It is one among the most-visited hill stations in Tamilnadu, known for its tranquil ambience and rustic charm. Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake, Rose Garden, Pykara Lake, Doddabetta Peak, Wax World Museum, Mudumalai National Park, etc are some of the popular tourist attractions in Ooty.
Plan a trip to Tamilnadu during this Pongal Holidays and have a wonderful time exploring and experiencing the vibrant Harvest festival – Pongal, the rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty of the state.
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Comment below which of these Places in Tamilnadu you’d like to spend the Pongal Holiday!
Also, let us know in the comments below any other best places in Tamilnadu that you know can be the best choice to spend the Pongal Holidays, other than our pick.
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