Pongal 2022

Pongal is majorly celebrated in South India. This festival is celebrated with Makar Sankranti when the Sun enters the Capricorn zodiac sign. It means that Pongal is celebrated in the same way in Tamil Nadu as that of Makar Sankranti in North India.

Importance of Pongal

Just like Lohri, Pongal is also an agricultural festival. Sugarcane and paddy crops become ripe in Tamil Nadu in January, which makes the farmers joyful and they pray to Indra Dev, Surya Dev, and animals related to farming like cows and bulls to express their gratitude. Pongal is celebrated for four days. People clean their houses during this time. Besides this, one of the most noteworthy facts about Pongal is that the Tamil-speaking natives let go of their bad habits on the auspicious occasion of Pongal.

How to Celebrate Pongal?

• This festival is dedicated to Indra Dev. He is worshipped to seek his blessings for good rainfall and harvest. People burn Holi on this day by taking out old items from their houses. Women and girls take rounds around the fire, performing folk dances and singing songs. It is known as Bhogi Pongal.
• Then comes Surya Pongal. Kheer is prepared on this day. People get together in open areas, take lumps of turmeric, and tie it in a yellow thread. It is then tied to a brass or earthen pot in which Khichadi (Stew) is cooked. Once the Khichadi is boiled, Ghee and milk are added to it. Surya Dev is worshipped after the Pongal is prepared. People dance and sing with happiness on this day and pray for a prosperous life.
• Mattu Pongal is the third day of the Pongal festivities. The natives associated with agriculture worship cow, bull, and buffalo on this day. These animals are decorated, and events like Jallikattu are organized on this day.
• The last day of Pongal festivities is Kanya Pongal. People decorate their houses with flowers on this day and put a pylon of mango and coconut leaves on the main entrance of the house. Women make Rangolis, and since this is the last day of Pongal, people meet each other, and exchange gifts and good wishes.
• The sacred festival of Pongal has spiritual and religious significance. It is said that cow milk is boiled on this day, and the more it boils, the more auspicious results it brings. It is believed that as the milk boils more and more, a person’s mind is also purified, and he is blessed with a prosperous life.