Thai Pongal

Thai Pongal
“Pongal” is nothing but a Thanks Giving Day to nature and cattle. “Thai” is the month which
kick-starts the wedding season for Hindus. The
main deity for Pongal is the Surya or the Sun
God, the infallible healer, the powerful
energizer and the supreme teacher.
Thai month Thai Pongal (Makara Sankarathi)
According to the lunar calendar, the sun moves
from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of
Capricorn, or from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana,
in the month of Thai (Poush month-i Mid Jan –
Mid Feb)
The movement (Sankranti) of the earth from one
zodiac sign(Makar) into another is called
„Makara Sankranti‟ and is celebrated as Makar ,
Sankranti, or Lohri, in the North, and Pongal in
the South.
The word „Pongal‟ in Tamil signifies the boiling
over of the rice in the cooking pot.. Pongal is a
three-day festival. Pongal also marks the beginning of the New Year in Tamil Tradition.
On the first day, Bhogi Pongal, celebrations are confined to the house. Bonfires are burnt to
drive away the negative factors . Houses are whitewashed and decorated.
The second day, Surya Pongal, honours the Sun god. Members of the family wear new
clothes and cook - on a new stove and in new pots - a dish with the newly harvested rice,
jaggery and „Pasi Pauppu‟ (Moong Dhal ) Sugarcane
stalks characterise this festival.
The third day is celebrated paying tribute to the Cattle
especially cows and bullocks. They are bathed
specially, decorated colorfully and worshipped for
their role in ensuring a good harvest.*
According to Hindu mythology, on the third day of
Pongal, Sri Krishna lifted the Govardhana Hill. Once
Lord Indra, with his arrogance, poured a heavy rain on
Gokhulam ( the place of Krishna). People of Gokhulam feared stormy weather and prayed to
Krishna. The young boy Krishna , without any fear lifted the hill with his fingers Indra
realized that Krishna is none other than Maha Vishnu and bowed at his feet.
Pongal (Sankranti- A festival for all)
„Pongal‟ or „Sankranti‟ is the day to praise and thank God and Nature. Thoughts of the past

should be abandoned as we get ready to start life afresh.Pongal Festival is unique as it covers
all living beings including humans, cattle and birds and crops. Even the insects are not
neglected and are offered rice flour to feed on in the form of 'Kolam' (Rangoli) on the
entrance of the houses. Thus, Pongal is a day for peace and happiness for all.
People from different States of India celebrate
differently. Punjabis celebrate „Lohri‟ by
feasting on sweets made of jaggery, peanuts
and sesame seeds, and making a symbolic
bonfire of the departing winter.
In the days leading up to Lohri, children visit
homes of neighbours, sing traditional Lohri
songs, and ask for coins and sweets in return.
While being Indian in spirit, this custom is
similar to the tradition of singing Christmas
carols.
In Gujarat and other western states, people
observe Uttarayana, when the winds change,
by flying kites. The winter sky bursts into colour with thousands of paper kites. The
festivities conclude with a winter feast.
In Maharashtra, people dress in new clothes and distribute sesame sweets. New brides are
welcomed into the family with sugar ornaments and a turmeric-and-vermilion ceremony. In
rural Maharashtra, feasts of the new harvest mark the festival.
Assam celebrates the paddy harvest in winter with Magha or Bhogali Bihu. Pavilions with
thatched roofs come up in the villages and there is feasting in the night. The pavilions are set
afire in the morning. The festivities continue for a week
At Ganga Sagar, where the Ganga enters the sea, a grand fair is held.
The festival is also called Til Sankranti or Kichri Sankranti, after its main ingredient or
preparation.
In Tamilnadu. Pongal is marked by „ Jallikattu‟ ( bull fights). A money bag is tied to the
horns of a bull, and the man who succeeds in tethering the bull to the tree gets the money.
The spirit of Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, is giving thanks to God for a
bountiful harvest as people prepare a special dish called 'Sarkkarai Pongal' and pray for the
blessings of the Sun God.
Lohri in Punjab, Bhogali Bihu in Assam and Bhogi of Andhra Pradesh.

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