PONGAL

SOUTH INDIANS’ FESTIVAL

Pongal is an important festival of south India. In the north, it is known as Sankranti. Pongal is usually celebrated in January for three successive days to commemorate the harvest festival. The festivities are known as Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal on successive days. Pongal is a traditional festival of variegated colors, with ceremonies devoted to different deities.

The festival serves as an occasion for farmers to express their gratitude to the Sun God and pay obeisance to the deity for its role in fostering growth of plantation. The Sun God, being very powerful, helps in the growth of paddy and other plantation. The festival is celebrated in a grand manner with much revelry. As the festival approaches nearer, people clean and decorate their houses and complete all the repair/maintenance work. During the four-day long festivities, people draw beautiful rangolis i.e., colorful columns in front of their house.

Bhogi Pongal: This celebration commences on the last day of Margazhi, which is called “Bhogi.” People wake up very early in the morning and take a bath. All the trash is placed in front of the house and set aflame. Old and useless things are disposed off and replaced with new ones. Then, the entrance to every home is decorated with colorful rangolis.

Surya Pongal: Paddy is harvested during this festival. Using the “new rice”, people prepare pongal and offer it to the Sun God who travels in a chariot drawn by seven horses. People draw a picture of the chariot in an open space when sun rises and place a small sun in the centre of the chariot. Then they place sugarcane and turmeric sprigs and perform pooja on the chariot. Next, all the prepared dishes are offered to the deity. Once these rituals are over, every member of the family takes a small portion of the pongal and sprinkles it all over the house saying, “Pongalo Pongal.” This is a prayer the Sun God to bless their homes with peace and prosperity.

Maatu Pongal: The next day is known as Maatu Pongal, or pongal for the cows. On this day people worship the cattle. Milk suppliers adorn their cows: paint horns, apply colors and tie pieces of colorful cloth. Then, the decorated cows are taken from house to house.

Kaanum Pongal: On this day people spend their time outside in revelry, fun and entertainment. In some places like Madurai and Tanjore etc., bullfights are organised.

Pongal is a festival of color that binds the entire community together in a common celebration of worship, joyousness and revelry. Community meals are also organized at many places.