Introduction

Revered festival of Pongal is observed in Tamil Nadu as a season of harvesting. Pongal is considered as chief Tamilian festival that is celebrated by worshipping Sun-God for his rays. Falling in the Thai month, Pongal celebrations continue for four days.

Relevance of Four Pongal Days

As the pongal festival is celebrated for four days, each day has its own significance. On 13th January, Bhogi is celebrated that is considered as a day dedicated to family. 14th January is the day of Pongal wherein Surya is related to the worship of Surya. In addition to this, 15th January- Mattu Pongal and 16th January -'Thiruvalluvar Day' is chiefly dedicated to worshipping cattle and Thiruvalluvar’s contribution to the Tamilian literature.

Pongal in Tamil refers to ‘spill over’ or ‘boil over’. The act of spilling over milk in a clay pot denotes future wishes for entire family. On the first day of festival, mouth-watering delicacies are prepared and homes are cleaned and all sorts of maintenance works are done beforehand. During these four days, assorted Rangolis are drawn by people outside their houses early morning.

Rituals & Celebrations

Pongal is refered to sweet rice that is prepared in the new pot at a place where puja is performed. Fresh turmeric and ginger are tied to this pot and a scrumptious mixture of rice, jaggery, Moong Dal and milk are boiled in it. According to a ritual, Pongal is allowed to spill out of pot which is then offered to God alomg with Vadas, grains, sugarcane, Payasam etc on a new banana leaf.

In addition to this, Kolam popularly called Rangoli is made using rice flour. The chief idea behind usage of rice flour is to make insects feed on the same and bless the whole family. Cow-dung holds and pumpkin flower is kept in the centre of Rangoli as a fertility symbol and love offerings to deity respectively.

Besides this, new clothes are bought for the entire family and also cattles are caparisoned with flowers, bells and beads.