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A
number of festivals are celebrated in
Pondicherry the year round and the major
festivals are from January to August.
January
Pongal
It is the grandest festival of Tamils,
and is celebrated in January with great
fanfare and enthusiasm. The three-day
celebration is the mark of harvest end and
thanks giving. During this time people used
to exchange 'Pongal'- the sweet rice item (a
must), sweets and greetings.
International Yoga
festival
It is organized by the department of
tourism every year during January. Both
amateurs and experts from all over the world
take part in it.
March
Masimagam
 This
festival
is celebrated during full-moon day around
mid-March. That time, deities of sixty four
temples from in and around Pondicherry are
brought in the 'Temple car' to the
beach for a sanctimonious sea bath rituals.
Later, the images are once again fixed on
the car and taken back to their respective
temples.
July
Bastille Day
It is celebrated on July 14th,
to mark the Indo-French pageantry. War
veterans donning their uniforms, March
through the streets singing 'Marsellaise'.
One can even witness French flag flying
along side the Indian flag on many
house-tops.
August
Fete De Pondicherry
It is the Cultural festival organized
every year between August 15 and 17 by the
Department of Art and Culture & South
Zone Cultural Center, coinciding with the
Independence day of Pondicherry. Leading
classical and folk artists from all over
India is to take part in this event and it
would be an opportunity to witness this
event, particularly for foreign visitors and
people interested in art and culture.
Virampattinam Car
Festival
It is another major grand festival of Pondicherry. During this time, the temple
car is highly decorated and is pulled by
public and the Lieutenant Governor of
Pondicherry usually participate in this
ritual.
Apart for these, the 10-day Bhramothsavam
of Manakula Vinayagar Temple, the festival
of Drowpathiamman celebrated for 22 days
during July-August, the Villianur Sri
Tirukameshwara Temple Car Festivals are also
famous.
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