Festivals in Chennai district form an integral part of the people of this district. A number of festivals are held in different parts of this district throughout the year. The festivals associated with Hindu temple are more than five hundred in a year. Apart from the traditional fairs and festivals, modern fairs such as exhibitions and national festivals like Independence Day and Republic day are celebrated in the district. All the fairs and festivals are which are celebrated in this district are visited by thousands of devotees from far and near.
One of the major festivals celebrated in this district is the Brahmotsavam festival of Kapaleeswarar temple situated in Mylapore. This festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Panguni, which falls between the month of March and April in the English calendar and it lasts for ten days. A big fair is organized near the temple. Another festival held in Mylapore in the month of January is known as the floating festival which is also of great importance. The Parthasarathi temple in Triplicane in the district of Chennai observes several festivals and one of the most important one is the Vaikunta Ekadari, which is observed between the month of December and January. Another notable festival celebrated in this district is the Brahmothsavam, which is held in the month of Chithirai and it is celebrated for ten days. The car festival falls on the seventh days and is attended by more than fifty thousand devotees.
The Vada Palani Andavar temple in Kodambakkam in Chennai district in the state of Tamil Nadu celebrates a festival on a particular day in every month and that day is known as the Kirthigai day. Other festivals in this district include the annual festivals which are called the Skanda Sashti in Ayppari month and Uthiram in Panguni month and the floating festivals are celebrated during the Panguni Uthiram. The Kandaswami temple in Sowcarpet celebrates twenty festivals in a year. In the Adhi Mottaiamman temple, the Jathirai festival is organized, which attracts a large number of crowds. From among the various festival celebrated by the Siva-Vishnu temples in this district, the major festivals are Sivarathri, Navarathri, Vaikunta Ekadasi and Sri Ram Navami.
Apart from the Hindu festivals, the Muslim and Christian festivals also attract crowds and give rise to fairs in the district. The Ramzan, Bakrid and Muharram and many others form the most prominent festivals, which are observed by thousands of devout Muslims in different parts of the Chennai district. The Christmas, Easter and the New Year are marked by impressive festivities in the protestant and catholic churches in the district like St. Thomas and the Cathedral Church in Santhome. Thus, festivals in the district of Chennai are celebrated with much pomp and glory throughout the year.
