Pongal is a traditional harvest festival and is regarded as one of the most important festivals for the Tamilians. Pongal festival usually begins around the 14th or 15th day of the month and is celebrated for four days. This auspicious festival is celebrated with lot of zeal and enthusiasm. The auspicious day marks the start of sun’s six month journey towards the north i.e the Uttarayanam. It is believed that Thai Pongal is celebrated to convey appreciation to the Sun God for providing energy for agriculture. Tamilians decorate their houses with mango, banana leaves and colorful patterns made up of rice flour. Further the dishes are been served in the traditional way by using banana leaves. (Read: Pongal 2016 Wishes: Best Pongal SMS, WhatsApp & Facebook Messages to send Happy Pongal greetings!)
Pongal also known as Thai Pongal is basically a four day harvest festival which is celebrated by the Tamil community. Pongal will begin from January 15, 2016 till January 18, 2016. Pongal word means overflowing which signifies happiness and prosperity. The word Pongal is derived from the Tamil word Ponga, which means to boil. The meaning of Pongal means overflowing. On this auspicious day, Tamilians boil milk in new clay pots and further they overflow to portray abundance. Devotees also boil the first rice of the season to the Sun which is – termed as Surya Maangalyam. It is one of the most important festival of Tamil community.
Pongal is a special thanksgiving day which is especially dedicated to Mother Nature by the farmers for the overflowing harvest. It is believed that the auspicious month is a traditional month for weddings as the end of the harvest season is associated with abundance of food. (Read: Pongal 2016: Know Puja Muhurat, Puja Vidhi & auspicious timings to celebrate Pongal!)
The auspicious day marks the start of sun’s six month journey towards the north i.e the Uttarayanam. It is beleived that Thai Pongal is celebrated to convey appreciation to the Sun God for providing energy for agriculture. Tamilians decorate their houses with mango, banana leaves and colorful patterns made up of rice flour. Further the dishes are been served in the traditional way by using banana leaves.
People also prepare a sweet named dish pongal which is made up of rice, cardamom, jaggery, raisins, green gram, cashew nuts and is also offered to the Sun god.
Bhogi Pongal (1st Day): Bhogi Pongal, is the first day of the pongal festival and devotees worship Lord Indra. Bhogi usually falls on January 13th and on this day Tamilians prepare a large bonfire which signifies the celebration of prosperity and the end of winter season. Before Bhogi, people start cleaning their houses and make beautiful designs of kolam at the verandah of their home. People worship Sun God and agricultural equipment that are used to cut the crop. Apart from this there are many families who throw their household items which signifies end of old things and beginning of new things.
Surya Pongal (2nd Day): The second day of the festival is dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God). Devotees perform puja which requires rice to be boiled in milk in an earthen pot. Further the rice is then offered to Lord Surya. Devotees also boil the first rice of the season to the Sun which is – termed as Surya Maangalyam. Tamilians decorate their houses with mango, banana leaves and colorful patterns made up of rice flour. Women draw beautiful kolam at the entrance of their house. New rice is cooked with milk and jaggery, over the stove on this auspicious day. Further the mixture of rice is boiled well, until the rice overflows from the pot and people would say loudly ‘Pongalo Pongal’.
Mattu Pongal (3rd Day): Mattu Pongal day is dedicated to the cows, oxs and people adorn them with beads, bells and worship them. Animals help the farmers to raise a crop and harvest it. Owners of the cows are then offered the Pongal that has been offered to the gods. Further people continue with bull race and in some places there are annual bull fight festival known as Jallikkattu.
Kaanum Pongal (4th Day): The final day of Pongal is – Kannum Pongal also known as Karinaal. Devotees worship Sun God and even offer food along with Sarkarai Pongal along with sugarcane. This offering symbolizes sweetness, happiness and joy in one’s life. Further women perform their ritual in the early morning and further sisters pray for the happiness of their brothers. We at India.com wish every one a very Happy Pongal.