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கட்டுரைகள்
Festivals
Aadi Perukku
ஆடிப்பெருக்கு
On the 18th day of Aadi, Tamil families gather at riverbanks to thank the swelling Kaveri and other rivers for water and harvests.
Deepavali
தீபாவளி
Tamil Nadu celebrates Deepavali at dawn with an oil bath, new clothes, sweets, crackers and the story of Krishna's victory over Narakasura.
Kanda Sashti
கந்த சஷ்டி
Six days of fasting and prayer to Murugan after Deepavali, ending in Soorasamharam, the victory over Soorapadman, at Thiruchendur.
Karthigai Deepam
கார்த்திகை தீபம்
Tamil Nadu's own festival of lamps, when homes glow with clay lamps and the Maha Deepam is lit on the hill at Thiruvannamalai.
Navaratri
நவராத்திரி
Nine nights honouring Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi, with golu doll steps, sundal, songs, Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadasami.
Pongal
பொங்கல்
Tamil Nadu's four-day harvest festival, thanking the sun, the land and the cattle with pots of freshly boiled pongal.
Tamil New Year
தமிழ்ப் புத்தாண்டு
Puthandu welcomes the Tamil year on Chithirai 1 with kolam, temple visits, new clothes and a pachadi that holds all of life's tastes.
Thaipusam
தைப்பூசம்
A great festival of Murugan on Poosam star in Thai, when devotees carry kavadi and milk pots to Palani, Batu Caves and beyond.
Varalakshmi Vratham
வரலட்சுமி விரதம்
On a Friday before the Aavani full moon, women worship Lakshmi as Varalakshmi, the giver of boons, in a kalasam dressed as the goddess.
Deities & Devotion
Amman, the Divine Mother
அம்மன்
Meet Amman, the Divine Mother of Tamil homes and villages: gentle Meenakshi, loving Kamakshi, healing Mariamman and more.
Lord Ganesha
விநாயகர்
Meet Pillaiyar, the elephant-faced god of good beginnings, prayed to first before every puja, journey and new start.
Lord Murugan
முருகன்
Meet Murugan, the young Tamil god of courage and wisdom, with his shining Vel, his peacock and his six sacred abodes.
Lord Shiva
சிவன்
Discover Shiva, the great Lord of Tamil temples: Nataraja of Chidambaram, the five element shrines and the songs of the Nayanmars.
Lord Vishnu
திருமால்
Meet Perumal, the protector of the world, praised by the Alvars and worshipped at Srirangam and the 108 Divya Desams.
Stories
Avvaiyar and the Cowherd Boy
ஔவையாரும் சுட்ட பழமும்
A wise old poet, a cheeky boy in a jamun tree and a riddle about 'roasted fruit'. But who is the boy, really?
Manu Needhi Chozhan and the Bell of Justice
மனுநீதிச் சோழன்
In Thiruvarur, a grieving cow rings the Bell of Justice, and a Chola king must choose between his beloved son and what is right.
Paari and the Jasmine Creeper
முல்லைக்குத் தேர் கொடுத்த பாரி
Vel Paari was famous for his giving heart, and one day he gave his royal chariot to a tiny jasmine creeper.
Tenali Raman and the Thieves
தெனாலி ராமனும் திருடர்களும்
Thieves hide outside Tenali Raman's house one hot summer night, and end up doing all his garden work for him.
The Fruit of Wisdom
ஞானப் பழம்
Sage Narada brings one golden mango to Kailash, and two brothers race for it: one around the world, one around his parents.
Game guides
Aadu Puli Aattam
ஆடு புலி ஆட்டம்
Three hungry tigers against fifteen clever goats: a Tamil strategy game where teamwork can beat strength.
Pallanguzhi
பல்லாங்குழி
The classic Tamil game of pits and seeds. Sow, count and capture your way to the biggest pile of seeds.
Paramapadam
பரமபதம்
The traditional snakes-and-ladders game where good deeds lift you up, bad habits pull you down, and the goal is Vishnu's abode.
Recipes
Maanga Pachadi
மாங்காய்ப் பச்சடி
Raw mango simmered with jaggery and neem flowers: a sweet, sour, bitter and spicy dish made for Tamil New Year.
Sakkarai Pongal
சர்க்கரைப் பொங்கல்
Rice and moong dal slow-cooked with jaggery, ghee and cardamom: the sweet, golden heart of the Thai Pongal celebration.
Sweet Kozhukattai
இனிப்புக் கொழுக்கட்டை
Steamed rice-flour dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery: the sweet modak-style offering made for Vinayagar Chathurthi.
Ven Pongal
வெண்பொங்கல்
Soft, savoury rice and moong dal tempered with ghee, black pepper, cumin, ginger and cashews: a comforting Tamil breakfast.