Though initially Pongal was only celebrated by the farmers,
today this festival is celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu and is observed for four
days. Pongal is a celebration of a good harvest of the paddy plantations grown
in South India.
it’s time to cry out ‘Pongal O-Pongal!’ at one of the most
important harvest festival celebrations in India – Thai Pongal. The festival of
Pongal falls in the Tamil month of Thai which coincides with the solar month of
January (this year it’s on January 15). Jaggery, rice and raisins, cardamom and
cashews, and a generous dollop of ghee come together in a mouthwatering dish
that will send your senses into a tizzy! Salivating already? Yummyy.
In praise of the sun!
Make sure you watch
your step as not to ruin the beautiful patterns by stepping on them! Winter is
on its way out, the sun is shining bright, and there is joy in the air. It’s
the first day of Pongal – the Bhogi Pongal. Courtyards and doorsteps in every
village, town and city are covered with intricately designed kolams, or
rangolis, that are so symmetrically accurate you’d need a geometry set to
imitate them. Day two is Surya Pongal,
the day dedicated to the Sun god. Elaborate pujas and heartfelt prayers are
rendered to seek his blessings for another bountiful year.
Imagine celebrating Pongal in the name of a British
man? Pongal in these villages is
celebrated in honour of British engineer Pennycuick, the architect of
Mullaperiyar Dam, as his birthday coincides with the harvest festival.
Well, that’s how the festival is celebrated in several
villages in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu.
If you want to experience the full glory of Pongal, you will find it
only in the villages and hamlets of Tamil Nadu. So, if it is food, fun and some
fast-paced festivities that you are looking for, head to Tamil Nadu this
January.
Let’s celebrate the Pongal, welfare to spread and delight to
sunshine in our lives.
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