Pongal
This article is about the Pongal festival. For the dish of the same name, see Pongal (dish). |
photo of typical pongal celebration |
Pongal (
பொங்கல் in
Tamil) is an
Indian
festival to give thanks for the
harvest. Pongal in Tamil literally means
boiling over. It is traditionally celebrated at the time of harvest of crops and hence is a
celebration of the prosperity associated with the event.
Pongal is celebrated by all people in the
South Indian state of
Tamil Nadu. While Pongal is predominantly a
Tamil festival, the same period also marks similar festivals celebrated in several other places under different names. In
Andhra Pradesh and
Karnataka, the harvest festival
Sankranthi is celebrated. In northern India, it is called
Makar Sankranti. In
Maharashtra and
Gujarat, it is the date of the annual
kite-flying day,
Uttarayan. It also coincides with the harvest festival in
Punjab and
Haryana, known as
Lohri.
Pongal is also known as
Tamizhar Thirunal or
The Festival of Tamils among the
Tamil people. The
Tamil language saying
Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum (தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்) is often quoted with reference to the Pongal festival.
Usually the festival falls in the middle of the month of January in the Western
calendar. The festival is celebrated for four days from the last day of the Tamil month
Maargazhi (Dec/Jan) to the third day of
Thai (Jan/Feb). The first day,
Bhogi, is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old clothes and materials by setting them on fire to mark the end of old and emeregence of new.
The second day,
Pongal, is the main day which falls on the first day of the Tamil month
Thai (
January 14 or
January 15 in western calendar). The
Pongal day is celebrated by boiling rice with fresh
milk and
Jaggery early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel — a tradition that is the literal translation for
Pongal (in
Tamil). The moment the rice gets boiled over and bubbles out of the vessel, it is offered to the
Sun God, a gesture which symbolises thanksgiving to the Sun for providing prosperity. People also prepare savories and sweets, visit each other's homes, and exchange greetings.
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 violent
taming the wild bull contest, marks the main event of this day. During this final day,
Kaanum Pongal — the word "kanum", literally meaning 'to view' — youths used to gather at river banks to view and select their future life partners, but that practice has declined. People, especially store keepers, visit beaches and theme parks during this day in modern times. During the Pongal season, people chew
sugar cane and decorate the houses with
kolam.
The
astronomical significance of the festival is that it marks the beginning of Uttarayana, the
Sun's movement northward for a six month period. In
Hinduism, Uttarayana is considered auspicious, as opposed to Dakshinaayana, or the southern movement of the sun. All important events are scheduled during this period. Makara Sankranthi refers to the event of the Sun entering the
zodiac sign of
Makara or
Capricorn.
*
Sweet Pongal Recipe*
Pongal Festival - the harvest festival of South India- An exclusive site dedicated to Pongal. *
Pongal Cards *
Significance and Philosophy of the Pongal festival*
Why is Makar Sankranti always on the 14th of January?*
Dmoz listing on Pongal*
Lohri*
Lohri Festival - the bonfire festival of North India
