Why is pongal celebrated

The term 'Pongal' is derived from Tamil literature which means 'to boil'. It is an ancient festival of South India, particularly Tamils.

It is basically a harvest festival which is celebrated for four-day-long in Tamil Nadu in the month of January-February Thai during the solar equinox after harvesting crops like rice, sugarcane, turmeric, etc.

Pongal festival is a four-day celebration affair. History of the Pongal Festival. But some historians claim that this festival is dated back at least 2, years old. It was celebrated as Thai Niradal. According to the legends, during this festive season unmarried girls prayed for the agricultural prosperity of the country, and for this purpose, they observed penance during the Tamil month of Margazhi. They abstained from the consumption of milk and milk products, didn't oil their hair throughout the month.

The use of harsh words is strictly refrained by them. Ceremonial bath in the early morning as part of the ritual of the penance. Why is Makar Sankranti celebrated? The history of this festival started in the Sangam age i. Although, Pongal originated as a Dravidian Harvest festival and has a mention in Sanskrit Puranas, historians identify the festival with the Thai Un and Thai Niradal which are believed to have been celebrated during the Sangam Age, as per Pongal festival portal.

Younger members seek the blessing of the older members of their families. Landlords distribute clothes, food and money to their workers. Offerings are made at temples even as special prayers are conducted.

Infused with the earthy rhythms of agrarian life, Pongal offers visitors a peek into a rich culture and a way of life that has been celebrated in Southern India for centuries.

Despite the official festival taking place across just four days, you can look forward to a month-long celebration which begins with the Pongal Light-Up Ceremony. Head to Little India and join in the series of celebrations, which include performances, workshops and many other hands-on activities. For event details of the wide array of Pongal Festival programmes, visit here.

When it is brought to a boil and froths over, family members cry out " pongollo pongal ", which means "may this rice boil over" in Tamil, signifying a wish for overflowing fortunes. Lord Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan to save all the humans. Later, Lord Indra realized his mistake and divine power of Krishna. According to Hindu mythology, this is when the day of the gods begins, after a six-month long night. The festival is spread over three days and is the most important and most fervently-celebrated harvest festival of South India.

A special puja is performed on the first day of Pongal before the cutting of the paddy. Farmers worship the sun and the earth by anointing their ploughs and sickles with sandal wood paste. It is with these consecrated tools that the newly-harvested rice is cut.

Each of the three days are marked by different festivities. The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is a day for the family. Surya Pongal, the second day, is dedicated to the worship of Surya, the Sun God.