Pongal: Thanksgiving Harvest Festival

Pongal also called Thai Pongal is a major festival in South India, a predominantly Dravidian Population region comprising of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh which were part of Pre independent Madras State of India.

The word ‘Pongal’ in Tamil means cooked Rice with pulses and spices. It is a thanksgiving festival observed by the farming communities, who join together in their natives on the First day of Tamil Month ‘Thai’ which coincides with the Harvest season of the year.

India being an agro economy the agriculturists in ancient days observed a thanksgiving day by praying to the Sun God besides remembering with gratitude the plough animals which help them in their farming activities.

It is during the same time that the winter season ends and the spring blossoms due to the rotation of the sun. Over a period of time different sections of the societies have added festive outlook to the thanksgiving affair making it a religious and cultural event adding entertainment content also.

The Pongal festival is celebrated in four days namely Bhogi Pongal, Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. During all the four days villages become festival grounds with each household making elaborate interior and exterior decorations. Besides plough animals are cleaned and decorated.

Bhogi Pongal – Burn the old waste

On the first day called Bhogi all old waste materials are burnt welcoming the ‘news’. Ancient Tamils celebrated Bhogi as the festival of Lord Indra who is considered the God of Rain.

Surya Pongal – Afresh Rice Cooking

The second day is the ‘Pongal’ day when new rice harvested afresh is cooked and devoted to the Sun God and fed to the plough animals first and then consumed by people.

Mattu Pongal – Thanking plough animals

The third day is known as Mattu Pongal celebrated mainly to remember the plough animals which are helpful to the farmers from tilling the lands to separating the food grains from fodder and in transporting the produce from place to place. There were days when mechanical farming and transportation was not in vogue and man had to only depend on the animals for all types of such activities.

Kaanum Pongal – Entertainment to the eyes

The fourth day is called Kaanum Pongal meaning entertainment to the eyes. On that day people of all professions in each village converge at common places where they enjoy community feeding besides watching the talents of youth who perform various sports events. One such event is the ‘Jallikattu’, the relevance and dangers of which are now debated even at the Supreme Court level. Jallikattu is showcasing or exhibiting the strength and valor of the animals as well as the youth. In some parts a racing event called “Reckla” is also conducted where only carts driven by bullocks participate which is a thrilling experience to witness.  The speed and power of the cart and the bullocks is so frightening for the by standers who gather in large numbers. With this the four day festival gets completed.

Want to Celebrate Pongal?

Do you also want to celebrate or witness Pongal Festival? Easy! Come to Martina beach in Chennai during the festival which is generally celebrated from Jan 14 to Jan 17 of Every year. Come! Celebrate! Cherish the memories throughout your Life.