pongal

PONGAL FESTIVAL

Bhogi Pongal
Day 01

Bhogi Pongal is dedicated to Lord of the rain Indra for the prosperity of their agricultural land. Since Lord Indra who is the supreme divinity is the God of clouds and rains. On the same day, some set of rituals of Bhogi Mantalu are also conducted in some rural areas; people provide their gratitude to Lord Indra by dancing and singing songs in praise of Lord around the bonfire. portance of bonfire is that it is made of agricultural wastage and useless household woods. Girls and the females of the house sing songs and dance around the bonfire, in the name of the gods.

Thai Pongal
Day 02

Thai Pongal is also called Surya Pongal or Thai Pongal. This should be performed early morning and after bath by the females of the house. All people wear traditional dress, jewelry and put tikkas on their forehead. The major event on this day is performed where rice is boiled along with milk in a pottery pot tied with a turmeric plant on clay stoves outside of the house. This mixture is prepared by the females of the house for offering it to Sun God in the morning time. After the rice is cooked; it is offered to Lord Sun along with sticks of sugarcane, coconuts, and bananas.

Mattu Pongal
Day03

Mattu Pongal is dedicated to the worship of cows. On this special day, the farmers makeover their cows with multicolored beads, tinkling bells, sheaves of corn, and flower garlands. Then they are taken to the village centers; where all the villagers gathered to watch each other’s cows and their makeovers. Then they are worshiped and an Aarti is performed to venerate those embellished cows. The resounding of bells and beautifully makeup cows make the entire atmosphere festive and full of fun. On grounds of it, the cows and bulls are revered on this day.

Kaanum Pongal
Day 04

The fourth day or last day of Pongal is known as Kaanum or Knau Pongal. The Pongal ritual performed on this day is that; the leftovers of sweet Pongal, colored rice (red and yellow), betel leaves, plantains, betel nuts, two pieces of sugarcane, and other dishes are placed in the courtyard and placed on the washed turmeric leaves. All the women of the house assemble in the courtyard and pray for their brothers and family’s prosperity, followed by Aarti with turmeric water, rice, vermillion, limestone, and this holy water is sprinkled everywhere, even outside the house.