Fourth Annual Kidaipongal Festival

Venue: Pulikulam Cattle Research Station, Manamadurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Organized by: Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) and Tamil Nadu Federation of Pastoral Peoples Sangams (TFFPS)

This festival is expected to bring together more than 1000 pastoralists from different regions of Tamil Nadu, making it one of the significant pastoral community gatherings in the state.

Kidaipongal is a traditional cultural and ritual celebration of the pastoral communities of Tamil Nadu. After the January harvest season, pastoralists begin the traditional practice of “kidai poduthal” — penning pastoral livestock in agricultural fields. This practice continues until the beginning of the monsoon season during the Tamil month of Aadi (July–August), when agricultural activities restart.

At the end of this seasonal pastoral cycle, pastoralists organize Kidaipongal as a thanksgiving ritual and community celebration. During this occasion, they offer feasts and hospitality to the farmers of the villages where they have practiced kidai poduthal. This tradition historically strengthened unity and mutual relationships between farmers and pastoralists.

However, due to the increasing use of chemical fertilizers and the decline of traditional pastoral practices, kidai poduthal and Kidaipongal celebrations have gradually reduced over the years.

For the past three years, TFFPS has been working with local communities to revive and sustain this important pastoral cultural tradition. This year, in collaboration with TANUVAS, the festival is being organized as part of the celebrations for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists – 2026.

We are proud that the simple cultural traditions of our pastoral communities are becoming part of this global celebration recognizing the importance of rangelands and pastoralists.