Pongal Festival

Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by Hindus especially the Tamil population. The festival is celebrated to thank the Sun God.

Let me tell you a quick summary of this celebration!
The four days celebration start with Boghi Day where all the old/crack/torn things are collected and burn in fire.

The first day of Pongal is called Maha Sankrathi Pongal where sweet rice / Pongal is cooked in a pot and offered to Sun God. 

Second day is called  "Madhu Pongal" . Cattle play an important role in the traditional Indian farmstead be it with regards to the provision of dairy products, its use for ploughing and transport and its provision of fertilizer. This explains the Vedic reference to cattle as wealth. On second day cows are bathed and decorated nicely with flower garlands.  food are given in abundance to it!

 

Third day is called "Kaanum Pongal". This is a time for family reunions in Tamil Nadu. Brothers pay special tribute to their married sisters by giving gifts as affirmation of their filial love. Landlords present gifts of food, clothes and money to their workforce. During Kaanum Pongal (the word kaanum means "to view"), people visit relatives and friends to enjoy the festive season. Some also called this day as Kanni Pongal where the single girls make sweet pongal in temple. It's indirect indication to the single man's family to pursue their proposal. 

Usually farmers celebrate this pongal festival very grandly.

I did Pongal at home too! Just a small scale celebration with full of fun!

Happy Pongal to All Hindus who celebrate this harvest festival!