Pongal (festival)

Pongal (பொங்கல் in Tamil), also called Sankranti in Karnataka (ಸ೦ಕ್ರಾ೦ತಿ in Kannada), is an Indian harvest and a thanksgiving festival. Pongal literally means boiling over. It is traditionally celebrated at the time of harvest of crops and hence is a celebration of the prosperity associated with the event.

Pongal is historically a secular festival independent of religion. It is celebrated by all people in South India, notably Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. While being predominantly a South Indian festival, the day is also celebrated in several other places under different names. In northern India, it is called Makar Sankranti. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, it is the annual kite-flying day. It is also the harvest festival in Punjab and Haryana, where it is celebrated as Lohri.

Celebration

Tamil Nadu

Pongal is also known as Tamizhar Thirunal or The Festival of Tamils among the Tamil people. The Tamil language saying Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum (தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்) -- literally meaning, the birth of the month of Thai will pave way for new opportunities -- is often quoted with reference to the Pongal festival.

Usually the festival falls in the middle of the month of January in the Western calendar. The festival is celebrated for four days from the last day of the Tamil month Maargazhi (Dec/Jan) to the third day of Thai (Jan/Feb). The first day, Bhogi is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old clothes and materials by setting fire on them to mark the end of old and emeregence of new.

The second day, Pongal, is the main day which falls on the first day of the Tamil month Thai (January 14 or January 15 in western calender). The Pongal day is celebrated by boiling rice with fresh milk and Jaggery early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel — a tradition that is the literal translation for Pongal (in Tamil). The moment the rice gets boiled over and bubbles out of the vessel, it is offered to the Sun God, a gesture which symbolises thanksgiving to the Sun for providing prosperity. People also prepare savories and sweets, visit each other's homes, and exchange greetings.

The third day, Mattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cattle, as they provide with milk and are used to plough the lands. Jallikattu, a violent taming the wild bull contenst, marks the main event of this day. On the last day, Kanum Pongal — the word "kanum" literally meaning 'to view' — youngsters used to gather at river banks to view and select their future life partners (which has fallen out of practice currently). People, especially store-keepers visit beaches and theme parks during this day in modern times. During the pongal season, people eat sugar canes and decorate the houses with kolam.

Karnataka

In Karnataka, the festival is marked by visiting one's friends and relatives to exchange greetings, and by the preparation of a dish called Ellu (made with sesame seeds, coconuts, sugar blocks, etc). A common custom found across Karnataka is the exchange of sugarcane pieces and Ellu with one's neighbors, friends and relatives.

Astronomical significance

The festival has astronomical significance: it marks the beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun's movement northward for a six month period. In Hinduism, Uttarayana is considered auspicious, as opposed to Dakshinaayana, or the southern movement of the sun. All important events are scheduled during this period. Makara Sankranthi refers to the event of the Sun entering the zodiac sign of Makara or Capricorn.

Pongal, a dish

Pongal is a famous South Indian food. It's available as 1. Sarkarai Pongal (Sweet Pongal), 2. Kara Pongal (Spicy Pongal), also called Huggi in Karnataka. The pongal that is prepared at the time of Pongal festival is Sarkarai (sweet) Pongal. Rest of the seasons, pongal usually will refer to Kara (spicy) Pongal, which is a typical breakfast.

External links

• Pongal, Indian Festival - With recipe for Pongal dish
• Why is Makar Sankranti always on the 14th of January?
• Dmoz listing on Pongal
• Lohri