Kallandhiri village, near Melur, recently hosted a colorful and lively fishing festival. Many people from five nearby villages gathered to take part in this centuries-old tradition. The annual event, which marks the beginning of summer, is very important for the local communities both culturally and spiritually.
During the festival, villagers work together to catch fish. These fish are then offered to the deity in hopes of receiving blessings for better harvests and good health. The festival is a wonderful display of tradition, unity, and respect for ancestral customs.
This fishing festival is not unique to Kallandhiri. In July 2023, a similar event was celebrated in Pugaiyilaipatti, near Sanarpatti. Last year, after heavy rains, the Periyakulam tank, which had been dry for a long time, filled with water. Villagers introduced young fish into the tank, anticipating a good fishing season.
As the water levels dropped months later, the villagers held a fishing festival. Hundreds of men, women, and children joined the event, which was filled with joy and a strong sense of community. Everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, participated in the fishing and enjoyed the festivities together.
