Pongal Festival
Source: PIB
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Overview
- Pongal Festival
Why in the News?
This year, the Pongal celebrations will begin on January 15 and conclude on January 18.
Pongal Festival
- Pongal is widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Sri Lanka.
- The festival derives its name from the Tamil word meaning spilling over.
- Harvest festivals in January mark the beginning of festivities every year.
- The onset of harvest season is observed across the country under various names based on the region where it is celebrated.
- The festival is widely celebrated in the Indian Subcontinent and by Hindus all over the world.
- Rituals that mark this occasion include bathing, processions, prayers at home and temples, elaborate feasts, house decorations and worship of the Sun God.
Pongal is also the name of the dish made and eaten during this festival. It is a mixture of boiled sweet rice.
About the four days of Pongal
- Bhogi Pongal
- The first day of Pongal is called Bhogi.
- It is a day where cleaning and discarding of old belongings are carried out to signify a fresh start.
- New clothes are worn, and houses are decorated in the spirit of the festivity.
- Surya Pongal
- The second day is the main day of Pongal and is celebrated as Surya Pongal.
- Sun God is honoured.
- Colourful decorative floor patterns called kolam are drawn at the entrance of one’s home
- Each household cooks a pot of fresh rice with milk at auspicious times.
- As the milk boils freely over the pot, family members shout out happily “Pongalo Pongal”!
- After the Pongal is offered to the Sun God, they would feast on several Pongal dishes that are prepared especially for the day.
- Maatu Pongal
- The third day of Pongal is called Maatu Pongal.
- This day is devoted to honouring and worship the cattle (Maatu) to remember the work they do – ploughing the land.
- Cows are bathed and adorned with multi-coloured beads, flowers garlands, and bells.
- Kaanum Pongal
- The fourth day of Pongal is called Kaanum Pongal.
- Importance is given to the community and to strengthen ties.
- Families gather together to have a sumptuous meal.
- Younger members seek the blessings of the older members of their families.
- It is also a day for traditional Indian folk dances such as mayilattam and kolattam.
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