What is Pongal? More Amazing facts about this festival.

Here's all you would like to understand about Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu , being celebrated in the week .

Date: Wednesday, 15 January, 2020

India may be a land of diverse culture, and that we have heard that line to death. We also know along side the various cultures come numerous festivals spreading across the calendar. Before we're done celebrating one, another comes right round the corner.

Likewise, even as we got over Lohri, Pongal has arrived. But in North India, a number of us won't realize this festivity that's wrapped around few amazing traditions.

If you're one among them, here's all you would like to understand about Pongal celebrations, which is being observed immediately in southern India, especially Tamil Nadu , and in many places across India:

What is Pongal?

Pongal may be a four-day-long harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu , which falls within the month of Thai (that is, the January-February season) when crops like rice, sugarcane, turmeric etc. are harvested.

The term 'pongal' in Tamil means "to boil", and this festival is widely known as a thanksgiving ceremony for the year's harvest. Pongal, one among the important Hindu festivals, falls round the same time as Lohri per annum , which is around mid-January.

Pongal also happens to be the name of a dish consumed during this festive time, which is sweetened rice boiled with lentils.

1st Day of Pongal - The Bhogi Festival

The Bhogi festival is widely known in honour of Lord Indra, the god of rain, and therefore the lord of lords. The ritual of Bhogi Mantalu is additionally observed today , during which useless items of the household are tossed into a bonfire traditionally made from trash cakes and wood.

2nd Day of Pongal - Thai Pongal

This day, a special ritual is performed where rice and milk are boiled together in an earthen pot - to which a turmeric plant is tied - call at the open as an offering to the sun god. along side this, sticks of sugarcane, coconuts and bananas also are offered.

Another important aspect of today is that the kolam, the normal design hand-drawn at the doorway of homes with lime powder. This auspicious drawing must be done early within the morning and only after a shower .

3rd Day of Pongal - Mattu Pongal

Mattu Pongal is that the day celebrated within the name of cows. The cattle are adorned with bells, sheaves of corn and garlands and worshipped.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva had once sent his bull, Basava, to earth with a message for the mortals, asking them to possess an oil massage and bath daily, and to eat once a month. Basava, however, mistakenly announced Shiva has asked people to eat daily and have an oil bath once a month.

Enraged, Shiva banished Basava to the world forever, cursing he would need to plough the fields to assist people produce more food. Hence, the association of today to cattle.

4th Day of Pongal - Kaanum Pongal

Kaanum (or Kanu) Pongal marks the Judgment Day of Pongal. On today , a ritual is performed where the leftover sweet Pongal and other food are began within the courtyard on a washed turmeric leaf, along side betel leaves, betel nuts and sugar cane.

Women of the household perform this ritual within the name of their brothers, posing for their prosperity.

So, now that each one that has been said, we might wish to wish you all a really Happy Pongal!

Source by: Indiatoday and freepik