Between June and July Auroville's surrounding villages commemorate their annual Temple Festival. This time of happiness, gathering and celebration can last from 2 to 21 days depending on the size of the village. All of these festivals share common faith, gods (Mariamma, Ganesh, Shiva...), ornamentation of flowers, music and women wearing brand new sarees as they cook pongal around the temple. One can dip in the village festivals by asking a CD at the radio or sending an email here . You can also listen to the beginning of the interview (just click the logo play). View photos by clicking on 'READ MORE'.

On the last day of the festivals everyone tries to put yellow or red powder on the face and body of others.

In the afternoon, all of the village women assemble around the temple with their pots to cook the pongal (rice, sugar/jaggery, cashew nuts, asafran).

At night, all of the women go with their pongal to the front of the temple to have it blessed before going home to share it with family and friends.

All temples are decorated with flowers and colorful lights.

While musicians play, the gods go around the village, blessing every house.