Pongal is a major festival of South India – Tamilnadu. This festival is celebrated in the month of Mid January. Pongal is the first day of the month of Thai in the Tamil Calendar. Also, Pongal is called Makar Sankranthi in North India. People celebrate this festival for four days. The first day of Pongal is Bhogi Pongal. On this day of Bhogi, people destruct the old and unwanted things from their houses. They welcome new things to their home. People clean up their homes on this day. Next, Green leaves and flowers are used to decorate the houses.
The second day of Pongal is Surya Pongal. This day is to thank the Sun. First, people get up early in the morning, take oil baths, wear new dresses, and start cooking Pongal. Then, the married women boil rice, jaggery, and milk together in traditional earthen pots outside their houses. Next, when it begins to simmer, they all shout together, “Pongalo Pongalo”. Finally, the sweet Pongal is offered to Sun and God along with Sugarcanes. Above all, they share sweet Pongal with their family and friends and eat together.
The third day is Mattu Pongal. Likewise, this day is to thank the Cow. People worship Cows and oxen on this day. Also, they paint the horns in various colors and put the flower garlands on their necks. People offer the Pongal to the Cow and worship the Cow for helping them in many ways on all days. Next, the fourth day is Kanum Pongal Day. Kanum means a visit. Moreover, On this day, people visit their friends and relatives, they also visit many places with new dresses and happy moods. In cities, people take varieties of rice to eat and go to the beach in the evening with their family and friends to enjoy. Mainly in villages, people have fun with games like breaking the pot with eyes shut, climb on slippery posts, tame the bull (Jallikattu), and so on.
Thus, Pongal is a harvest festival. People celebrate this festival to thank the Sun and the Goddess of grains. In fact, India is an agricultural country and Cows play an important role in agriculture. The four-day festival brings peace, unity, enjoyment, sharing, sacrifice, fun, and a sense of gratitude among people. To conclude, they exchange their “Happy Pongal” wishes to each other and enjoy the day with excitement.
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