Pongal is a famous harvest festival celebrated in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a four day long festival that marks the harvesting of crops by the farmers. Pongal is celebrated every year from 13th -16th January and there are four different names for the different days of the festival viz. – Bhogi Pongal, Makara Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kannum Pongal. 14th January, i.e. the second day of Pongal is the main festival which is celebrated with great pomp and show.
Pongal is equivalent to ‘Thanksgiving’, wherein farmers express their gratitude towards God for the bountiful crops. Moreover, Sun, Lord Indra, Lord Krishna and the cows are worshipped on this day. The word ‘Pongal’ is derived from the term ‘Ponga’ which means ‘the boiling of milk and rice’. The dish is prepared from fresh milk, freshly harvested rice and jaggery.
Primarily, there are two legendary stories associated with the festival of Pongal. It is believed that during Lord Krishna’s childhood, he decided to teach a lesson to Lord Indra, who became arrogant after he became the King of all deities. Lord Krishna convinced his cowherd friends to worship Mt. Govardhan instead of Lord Indra. This made Lord Indra angry who sent his clouds for thunder-storms and three days of continuous rains. According to the legends, it was on this day that Lord Krishna lifted Mt. Govardhan to save all the human beings.
Another legendary story is related to Lord Shiva. Once, Lord Shiva asked his bull, Basava, to go to the earth and ask the human beings to have an oil bath every day and eat only once in a month. However, Basava announced that every individual should eat daily and have an oil bath only once in a month. This mistake committed by the bull made Lord Shiva angry, as a result of which, he cursed Basava to live on the earth forever. As a result, Basava ploughed the fields and helped people produce more food. Thus, cattle’s hold great significance.
Traditional Celebrations
On the first day of the festival, special puja is performed on Bhogi Pongal. Farmers worship the Sun and the Earth by oiling their ploughs and sickles with a sandalwood paste. After this, these tools are used to cut the newly-harvested rice. Further on the Makara Pongal-the second day of the festival, boiled milk and jaggery is offered to the Sun God. Subsequently, on the third day-Mattu Pongal, the cattle is worshipped, which are washed, their horns and polished and painted using bright colours. Finally, on the last day of the festival-Kannum Pongal, a turmeric leaf is washed and placed on the ground, on which, the leftovers of the sweet Pongal, Venn Pongal, red and yellow coloured rice, betel leaves, betel nuts, two pieces of sugarcane, a few turmeric leaves and raw banana are placed.
How to celebrate Pongal at home?
- Tell your children the story behind Pongal celebrations.
- Wake-up early in the morning, dress-up in new traditional clothes and offer prayers at the temples.
- Tell your children about the significance of this harvest festival, customs and rituals associated with this festival.
- Encourage them to make rangolis using flowers and rice flour.
- Brighten up your home by decorating it with lights.
- Together with your children, go for shopping, buy new clothes and present them with gifts of their choice.
- Prepare special Pongal dishes such as Sarkkari Pongal, lemon rice, coconut rice, Payasam, medu vada etc.
- Invite your friends and relatives to celebrate Pongal together.
- Tell your children to greet everyone and seek blessings from the elders.
So, use the above tips to celebrate festival of Pongal with your near and dear ones.
