Happy Pongal dear readers.
Pongal or Thai Pongal as it is popularly called amongst the Tamil community across the world celebrate this auspicious day marking the first day of the month of the Tamil calendar. This awesome festival is celebrated by one and all and it is really not restricted to any particular religious faith. The entire Tamil population across the world celebrates this festival without any such differences. Thus it is widely known as Tamil Thai Pongal or Festival of the Tamil
Source: Google images
On the first day of the Thai month this festival is celebrated.
The festival is also a thanksgiving of sorts in which the farmers celebrate to thank the spirits of the nature, the Sun God and the farm animals for providing a successful harvest. For others it is a thanksgiving to the farmers for providing them food.
Broadly speaking, this festival encourages social inclusions and unity by bringing people from all walks of like together into a common function. Tamil literature and populist culture has lots of songs associated with the celebrations of Pongal. Infact, it is now a thriving business for Tamil film makers to launch their films during this festive period. The week long holiday provides people the entertainment to enjoy movies with their family and friends during this period.
A typical family will begin their day by waking up early. Traditional Pongal is prepared in the front garden which is prepared for this ceremonial cooking. A flat square pitch is made where it is decorated with traditional designs using rice powder or Kolam and this is exposed to direct sunlight. A firewood is set up using bricks and the clay pot with water is kept on this firewood hearth. As the water boils, rice is put into the pot and a family member ceremoniously puts about three handful of rice. The other ingredients in this amazing dish includes Chakkarai or Kalkandu (Also known as Brown sugar or Sugar candy) and Milk along with Payaru (Or roasted green grams) topped with Raisins, cashew nuts and few cardamom pods.
As the pot overflows when the entire ingredients come to a final boil, people shout “Pongalo Pongal”
The day prior to Pongal is called Bhogi. People on this day discard all their old belongings and celebrate their new belongings.
Maatu Pongal is celebrated the day after the main festival Thai Pongal. Tamilians regard cattle as their sources of wealth for providing dairy products, fertilizer, and labor for plowing and transportation. On this day, the cattle are regarded and praised affectionately for the kind of joy and fortune they bring into the lives. The main aspects of the day include games such as the Jallikkattu and taming bull.
Kanum Pongal marks the end of the festivities. People across Tamil Nadu celebrate this day by visiting their near and dear ones paying them gratitude and sharing gifts. Brothers gift their sisters with present and likewise, landlords give gifts to their tenants. People celebrate the entire festival by putting Kolam outside their house and welcoming everyone and celebrating the uniqueness of this festival.
Let’s keep the spirit of the festival alive.
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Phir milenge.
“Pongalo Pongal” Happy Pongal dear readers. Pongal or Thai Pongal as it is popularly called amongst the Tamil community across the world celebrate this auspicious day marking the first day of the month of the Tamil calendar.