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Festivals |
Pondicherry
is an abode of temples dedicated to Lord Sulramaniar and various forms of ammans
viz, Muthumariammam, Angalamman, etc. The famous fire walking and Sedal festival
are generally the most important festivals of these temples.
Sedal
The famous
sedal is understood to mean self-imposed physical torture undertaken by devotees
who pierce small silver hooks and spears in their body or tongues in fulfillment
of some vow. It is said that as many as 100 needles are pierced over their body.
They then go in a procession after a bath clad in turmeric strained clothes.
Kavadi
Festivals
Dancing in a hypnotic trance to the rhythm of drums, devotees of Muruga
carry the 'Kavadi' a flower decked decoration, all the way up the Palani Hills
to fulfil their vow. According to Hindu mythology, Idumban is said to have
carried two sacred hillocks on two ends of a pole placed on his shoulders
Pongal
Festival
 This festival of
Tamilnadu, is also celebrated with great
enthusiasm in Pondicherry. It is celebrated as a
thanks giving after the harvest
season.
Fire walking
Those who
vow to take part in the fire walking ordeal observe 40 days fast and wear
saffron coloured clothes and after a purificatory bath, walk through the fire
stretch to the astonishment of the spectators.
Bastille
Day
On July 14, the bastille day, Pondicherry witnesses and indo - French pageantry.
Dolling their uniforms, war Veterans march through the streets singing
Marseillaise. More interestingly, the French flag can be seen flying along side
the Indian flag on many Housetops.
Masimagam
Festival
on the Full moon day of the 'Magam' asterism in the Tamil month
of Masi (Feb-March) thousands of people in good faith go the sea shore in the
early morning to have a holy dip in the sea for ablution of their sins.
Mascarade festival
Mascarade
or Mask festival is celebrated sometime during March-April in Pondicherry
It reflects one more facet of the French sense of humor with fantastic mask and
fancy costumes, revelers go round the streets in joyous merriment indulging in a
kind of gimmic dance to the accompaniment of beating accordion the trumpets.
French Food festival
Gourmet, a food festival to celebrate the great French cuis ine is organized by
Tourism department every August. Virampattinam Car Festival This is the grand
car festival of Pondicherry when the decorated temple car is pulled in a
procession, with the Lieutenant governor participating in the ritual.
International Yoga Festival
Every year from 4th to 7th
January yogies and yoginis from worldwide have a congregation in Pondicherry to
exchange ideas and ways.Various live shows and talks are organised through
Indian dance, music and various Indian yogic food.The idea is to keep alive the
art of yoga and its philosophy
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