Pongal is celebrated as a harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. Here is an overview of Pongal celebration in India.


Pongal

Pongal is regarded as a harvest festival of South India. It is one of the most important and popular Hindu festivals. The four-day long harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, Pongal is all about thanksgiving to nature and takes its name from the Tamil word meaning "to boil" and is held in the month of Thai (January-February). 'Ponga' literally means overflowing and is named so because of the tradition of cooking the new rice in pots until they overflow, which is symbolic of abundance and prosperity.

Pongal is celebrated from January 13 to 16 every year. The festival marks a period of plenty, peace and happiness. While each of its days has a special religious significance, most urban people celebrate second day as the main festival. Pongal is the only festival of Hindu that follows a solar calendar. On the first day known as Bhogi, people clean their homes thoroughly and in the evening, all unwanted goods are lit in a bonfire. The second day is Perum Pongal, the most important. It is also called Surya Pongal because people worship Surya, the Sun God and his consorts, Chaya and Samgnya. Women decorate the central courtyard of their homes with beautiful kolams, done with rice flour and bordered with red clay. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cows and buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands. Jallikattu, a violent taming the bull contest, marks this day. On the last day, Kanum Pongal, people go out to picnic. During the Pongal season, people eat sugar canes and decorate the houses with Kolam.

The festival of Pongal is mainly associated with the rural people. People wish each other on this day. Pongal wishes are exchanged between family and friends, and there are celebrations within the family. As one stand on the threshold of the harvest season, everyone exchange Pongal wishes, hoping that it brings the harbinger of good luck, good fortune and good cheer. The festival of Pongal is held dear particularly by the farming community as it marks the end of harvesting season.

Four Days of Pongal
Falls in the month of Thai, Pongal is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. The literal meaning of the word, 'Pongal' means, 'boiling over' and is the only Hindu festival which follows a solar calendar. The festival which is celebrated for four days witness huge celebrations including making

Pongal Customs
Pongal which falls on the month of Thai derived its name from the delicacy which is prepared during the festival. Celebrated as a harvest festival or a thanksgiving ceremony, Pongal is also the occasion when the farmers express their thanks to the spirits of nature including

History of Pongal
Every Indian festival has lot of legends attached to it and Pongal is no different. Originated as a Dravidian festival, details of Pongal being celebrated are inscribed in temple in Tiruvallur and in Andal's 'Tiruppavai' and Manickavachakar's 'Tiruvembava'. Dated back to the Sangam

Pongal Celebration in India
Pongal is one of the most fascinating festivals commemorated with great enthusiasm in India. This is an ancient harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu state and is held in the 'Thai' month, which begins from mid-January to mid-February.

Pongal Legends
Pongal is a unique harvest festival celebrated for four days in Tamil Nadu. This important festival is celebrated in the middle of January and is observed as a way of thanking nature for all the wonderful gifts of harvest season. The word 'Pongal' means 'to boil' in the Tamil language and this makes

Pongal Recipes
Pongal, one of the most important harvest festivals of India is celebrated with great zest and vigor all over the country, especially South India. Marked by feasting and merrymaking the festival of pongal is celebrated over a period of four days. The word 'Pongal' means boiling water and symbolizes

Significance of Pongal
Celebrated for four days, pongal is an important harvest festival in south India and is celebrated with immense passion and ardor. Also known as Makar Sankranti, in some parts of the country, pongal is celebrated on the first day of Thai, when the sun enters the Makara Rasi (Capricornus). Marking the arrival of spring in the

Pongal Around the World
Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival is celebrated with great zest and vigor by Indian all around the world. With the dispersion of Tamils all across the globe, the jubilations and festivities surrounding this prominent harvest festival of south India can now be witness throughout the world.

Regional Significance of Pongal
Pongal, the festival of harvest, has is celebrated in different manners in various regions. Though it is observed on the same day all over India, but the celebrations vary from place to place. It has also different names in each region. Yet, bonfires and feasts are the common elements in Pongal celebration everywhere.

When is Pongal?
Pongal Date is the winter solstice in the Hindu solar calendar. The passing of the sun into the sign Capricorn marks it. Pongal is celebrated on this date itself and also to celebrate the coming of spring. There are several ways of calculating the Hindu solar calendar, so Pongal date may vary by up to one day