In its religious form, the dance is performed in front of an image of the goddess Mariamman. The most celebrated of these is karakattam. Tamil dance is closely intertwined with the Tamil theatrical tradition. These are performed for every possible occasion, to celebrate the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, weddings and festivals. Tamils have a large number of folk dances. During this final day, Kaanum Pongal - the word "kaanum", means 'to view' in Tamil.
The third day, Maattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cattle, as they provide milk and are used to plough the lands. Jallikattu, a bull taming contest, marks the main event of this day. The second day, Surya Pongal, is the main day which falls on the first day of the tenth Tamil month Thai (14 January or 15 January in western calendar). The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old clothes and materials by setting them on fire to mark the end of the old and emergence of the new. The Tamil language saying Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum - literally meaning, the birth of the month of Thai will pave way for new opportunities - is often quoted with reference to this festival. Pongal, also called as Tamizhar Thirunaal (festival of Tamils) or Makara Sankranti elsewhere in India, a four-day harvest festival is one of the most widely celebrated festivals throughout Tamil Nadu. Other popular temples in Tamil Nadu include those in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Chidambaram, Thiruvannaamalai, Tiruttani, Swamithoppe, Tiruchendur and Tiruvallur. Madurai is home to one of the grandest Hindu temples in the World - Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam is the largest functioning temple in the world, Tiruchirappalli where the famous Rockfort Temple temple is located,Rameshwaram whose temple walk-ways (Praagarams) are the longest of all Indian temples, Kanchipuram and Palani are important pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
The Brihadishwara Temple in Thanjavur, built by the Cholas, the Airavateswara temple in Darasuram and the Shore Temple, along with the collection of other monuments in Mahabalipuram also called as Mamallaburam have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The largest Shiva Temple in Tamil Nadu is Nellaiappar Temple situated in the heart of Tirunelveli city. These temples are of a distinct style renowned for their towering Gopurams. It boasts some of the grandest Hindu temples of Dravidian architecture.