Pongal is regarded as a harvest festival of South India. It is one of
the most important and popular Hindu festivals. The four-day long
harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, Pongal is all about thanksgiving to
nature and takes its name from the Tamil word meaning "to boil"
and is held in the month of Thai (January-February) it is celebrated
from January 13 to 16 every year. The festival marks a period of plenty,
peace and happiness. While each of its days has a special religious
significance, most urban people celebrate second day as the main
festival. Pongal is the only festival of Hindu that follows a solar
calendar. On the first day known as Bhogi, people clean out their homes
thoroughly and in the evening, all unwanted goods are lit in a bonfire.
The second day is Perum Pongal, the most important. It is also called
Surya Pongal because people worship Surya, the Sun God and his consorts,
Chaya and Samgnya. Women decorate the central courtyard of their homes
with beautiful kolams, done with rice flour and bordered with red clay.
The third day, Mattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cows and
buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands. Jallikattu, a violent
taming the bull contest, marks this day. On the last day, Kanum Pongal,
people go out to picnic. During the Pongal season, people eat sugar
canes and decorate the houses with Kolam. 'Ponga' literally means
overflowing and is named so because of the tradition of cooking the new
rice in pots until they overflow, which is symbolic of abundance and
prosperity.
The festival of Pongal is mainly associated with the rural people.
People wish each other on this day. Pongal wishes are exchanged between
family and friends, and there are celebrations within the family. As one
stand on the threshold of the harvest season, everyone exchange Pongal
wishes, hoping that it brings the harbinger of good luck, good fortune
and good cheer. The festival of Pongal is held dear particularly by the
farming community as it marks the end of harvesting season.
