Pongal

Pongal, also known as ‘Tamizhar Thirunal’ is one of the most popular festivals of South India. This festival marks the end of winter season and is around the time when the sun is moving towards North. The period is referred to as ‘Uttarayan Punyakalam’ and is considered auspicious.

It is celebrated from 12th to 15th January of which Pongal day falls on the 14th of January. It is widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The name is derived from the dish - Pongal which is cooked on the day and offered to the Gods, thanking them for the harvest and their blessings..

Legends:
The festival has a few legends attached to it, signifying its importance. The most popular one is about the first day of the celebrations. It is believed that on this day Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on his little finger to save people from being washed away by the rains. Thus the Rain God, Indra is worshipped on this day.

Another legend associated with the festival is about the third day. Lord Shiva sent Nandi, his bull, on earth to deliver his message to the people - to have an oil bath everyday and eat food once a month. But Nandi delivered the wrong message telling people to eat everyday and have an oil bath once a month. Lord Shiva was unhappy with the outcome, he told Nandi to remain on Earth and help people plough the fields, since now they would need to grow more grains.

Celebrations:

Pongal is basically a harvest festival, the celebrations last for four days. Each day has its own rituals and significance.

The first day is known as the Bhogi Pongal. On this day homes are cleaned, washed and beautifully decorated. Doorways are decorated with garlands of leaves and flowers. Indra, the Rain God also known as Bhogi is worshipped.

The second day is called Surya Pongal or Perum Pongal. People worship Surya, the Sun God. A bonfire is held in the evening and old goods are thrown in the fire, it marks a new beginning. A tradition of boiling fresh milk early morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel is practiced on this day, it is considered to bring prosperity.

On the third day known as Mattu Pongal, the farm animals and cattle are worshipped. They are bathed and decorated with garlands, kumkum is apply on their foreheads and they are served sweet rice.
The dish Pongal also referred to as Pongal rice or sweet rice is cooked in a new earthen pot. Turmeric and ginger are tied around this pot. Pongal recipe is an easy yet delicious one, a concoction of rice, milk, and jaggery are boiled in the pot on an open fire. The first paddy that is harvested is used to prepare it. When ready it is garnished with fried cashew nuts and raisins. First it is offered to God, on a new banana leaf along with other traditional delicacies such as vadai, murukku, payasam and then eaten by other family members.

The fourth day is Thiruvalluvar day or Kaanum Pongal. People visit family, friends and relatives; women perform pujas for their brothers. People leave cooked rice on banana leaves for the birds. This day was originally meant to thank relatives and friends for their support in the harvest.
People dress up in traditional clothes. On all the four days during the festival, they visit temples to seek the blessings of the Gods. They visit close friends and relatives and exchange Pongal greetings; generally the elders in the family gift the young ones. The festival brings happiness to the household.
Author: Ms Coutinho.

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