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FESTIVAL CALENDAR · PUDUCHERRY · 005

Festivals in Puducherry.

5 festivals across Puducherry — organised by month.

Dates vary

Sani Peyarchi (Saturn Transit Festival)

Karaikal

Major festival at Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple honoring Saturn (Shani). Features special abhishekams (ritual ablutions), homams (fire sacrifices), and poojas dedicated to Lord Saneeswaran. Thousands of devotees arrive to observe Saturn's transit.

January

Pongal

Puducherry (Pondicherry)

Tamil harvest festival. Kolam, sweet pongal cooking, cultural events in French Quarter.

February

Auroville Anniversary

Auroville

Anniversary of Auroville's founding in 1968. Bonfire ceremony at the Matrimandir amphitheatre. Earth from 124 nations (brought at the original ceremony) is symbolically honored. Open to visitors with advance registration.

July

Bastille Day Celebration

Pondicherry (Puducherry)

Pondicherry celebrates French Independence Day with a parade on the Promenade, French tricolor flags on colonial buildings, cultural events, and French cuisine specials. The only Indian city that celebrates Bastille Day.

Bastille Day

Puducherry (Pondicherry)

French flag ceremony, parades on Promenade, French-Tamil cultural events.

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