Festivals

Kodaikanal celebrates Karthigai Deepam in the same way as other parts of Tamil Nadu, with festivities focused on lighting lamps and celebrating light over darkness. The festival is a major event in the region, with locals decorating their homes with oil lamps, drawing kolams, and observing traditions. While major events are in places like Thiruvannamalai, the spirit of the festival is widely shared, so visitors can expect to see the same festive decorations and cultural practices in Kodaikanal.  Celebrations in Kodaikanal: What visitors can expect:

Aadi festival is celebrated concurrently with an event named as Poochaatu which extends for 15 days.  The charted programmes are planting Kambam, inviting The Mother of Power, urulundam that offers pongal to the deities Mariamman and Maha Abhishek, Karaka- a folk dance by group of men and women flaunting pots on the heads without touching and balancing merely by body movement. Aadi festival is emphasized by the distribution of flowers to other Mariamman temples.

The  Festival (Ther Thiruvizha) at Shevapet Mariamman Temple is one of the most vibrant and traditional celebrations in Salem city. Held annually, this grand festival attracts thousands of devotees from across the region. The main highlight is the procession of the beautifully decorated temple chariot (Ther), which carries the idol of Goddess Mariamman, symbolizing her divine journey through the streets of Shevapet to bless the devotees. Accompanied by traditional music, chanting, and cultural performances, the festival creates an atmosphere of devotion and joy. Streets are adorned with lights and colorful decorations, and local vendors add to the festive spirit with stalls offering sweets, flowers, and traditional items.

The Servaroyan Temple, located at the highest peak of the Shevaroy Hills in Yercaud, is dedicated to Lord Servarayan and Goddess Kaveri Amman. The temple is believed to be several centuries old and is deeply connected to the heritage of the tribal communities in this region—especially the Malayali tribes who have lived in the Shevaroy Hills for generations. The annual festival celebrated here is known as the Servarayan Temple Festival or Kaveri Amman Festival, and it has a rich cultural and traditional significance.

The Vinayaka Chaturthi Festival at Rajaganapathi Temple in Salem is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm every year. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the festival marks the birth of the beloved remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity. The celebrations begin with special poojas, abhishekams, and alankarams for Lord Rajaganapathi. The temple is beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, and devotees gather to offer prayers, coconuts, and modak (a sweet delicacy believed to be Lord Ganesha’s favorite). Throughout the day, the temple echoes with chants of “Ganapathi Bappa Morya”, creating a divine atmosphere. Cultural programs, devotional music, and community feasts are also organized, reflecting unity and devotion among the people. The festival concludes with the procession and immersion (Visarjan) of the Lord’s idol in a nearby water body, symbolizing the cycle of creation and renewal. This sacred celebration at Rajaganapathi Temple stands as a symbol of faith, togetherness, and the rich cultural traditions of Salem.