Thamizhar Thai Pongal Festival History, Images 2018
How many days Pongal is celebrated?
The Thai Pongal festival celebration is believed to be started more than 1000 years ago. Thai Pongal is a harvest festival which is celebrated by tamizh people in the Indian State of Tamilnadu, and this festival is mainly for the worship of the Sun God. It is a four-day festival which according to the Tamil calendar from Thai 1 to 4.(usually from January 14 to January 17)
History of Pongal:
The reason of Thai Pongal is mainly for thanking the Sun God after a successful harvest. On the occasion of Pongal boiling of the first rice after harvest is dedicated to the Sun. Tamil people refer to Pongal as “Tamizhar Thirunaal,” the festival of Tamizhs. Thai Pongal, also referred to as Makara Sankranti, is referred to in the classic work of Hindu astrology, the Surya Siddhanta.
Days of the festival:
Bhogi Pongal:
The day preceding Pongal is called Bhogi. On this day people discard old belongings and celebrate new possessions.The people assemble at dawn in Tamil Nadu to light a bonfire in order to burn the discards. Houses are cleaned, painted and decorated to give a festive look. The horns of oxen and buffaloes are painted in villages. In Tamil Nadu farmers keep medicinal herb (Neem, Avram, Sankranti) in the northeast corner of each field, to prevent crops from diseases and pests.
Thai Pongal:
The second day of Pongal is Thai Pongal. In the Tamil vocabulary, the word Pongal means “overflowing,” signifying abundance and prosperity. During the festival, milk is cooked in the vessel.When it starts to bubble and overflows out of the vessel, freshly harvested rice grains are combined to the pot. At the same time, other participants shout “Pongalo Pongal!. The Pongal is then served to everyone after prayers.
There is also a quote in Tamil as “Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum”
Maatu Pongal:
Maatu Pongal is celebrated the day after Thai Pongal. On Maatu Pongal, cattle are recognized and afforded affectionately. Features of the day include games such as the Jallikkattu and taming bull. On this day celebrants bathe and decorate their cattle with garlands. In the evening people pray to Lord Ganesh.
Kaanum Pongal:
The word Kaanum in this context means “to visit”. Many families hold reunions on this day. Celebrants chew sugar cane and again decorate their houses with Pongal Kolam (rangoli kolam). Brothers pay special tribute to their married sisters by giving gifts as the affirmation of their filial love.Landlords present gifts of food, clothes, and money to the tenants.
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