Pongal is a four day Hindu festival celebrated in South
India. The festival is celebrated to thank the Sun God for providing
nourishment to the crops throughout the year. It is celebrated in the months of
January-February. Most of the festivals in India are related to nature, and
Pongal is one of them. Throughout the year, India has various festivals,it
‘s commemorate south
It’s a festival of harvesting .In this festival people
growing new crops rice and sugarcane. Pongal marks not only happiness but also
prosperity. This festival carries great significance for farmers across the as
it is the time of year when they can reap the fruits of their hard work in the
fields. According to Sanskrit scholars, the history of Pongal dates back to the
Chola period where it appears on numerous texts and inscriptions. The festival
has been given different names like- Ponakam, Tiruponakum and Ponkal. From
Chola dynasty to Vijayanagara Empire, major Hindu temples display inscriptions
of the recipe which is similar to the Pongal dish. Also, the legends describe
the method of celebrating the festival
The different types of Pongal’s
· Bhogi
Pongal – The festival commences on the day of Bhogi Pongal as it marks the last
day of the Tamil month. It is dedicated to the rain Lord Indra as they offer
prayers and ask them to bless with the prosperity of their agricultural land.
· Mattu
Pongal – This festival is similar to the celebration of the Maharashtrian
community called Pola, where cow worship is paramount and significant to the
farmers. On this day, they decorate cows with multicoloured beads, tinkling
bells, paint their horns, and flower garlands.
· Surya
Pongal – It is the most important of all as it is celebrated to venerate Hindu
God Surya (Sun). The day is celebrated with relatives and friends by preparing
the famous dish called Pongal. The dish is cooked in an earthen pot which is
adorned with turmeric and flower garland.
· Kaanum
Pongal – This marks the last day where the leftovers of the Pongal dish,
coloured rice, betel leaves and nuts, two pieces of sugarcane and other cooked
meals are placed on the washed turmeric leaf in the courtyard
