Pongal - Festival of Kites

Pongal is one of the important festivals in India. Prayers are offered to the Sun God on this occasion. In many other parts of India, it is known as Sankaranthi. The reason for worshipping the sun god is that he is considered powerful and helps in the growth of paddy and other plantations. This festival is important for farmers and so is celebrated in a very grand manner in villages. The houses are washed, and all maintenance jobs are completed. During the festival, many different kinds of Rangoli are drawn before the houses early in the morning.

Bhogi:

The celebrations start on the day which is known as "Bhogi". On this day, generally everyone gets up early in the morning, takes a head bath. Then a bon fire is made with all the trash in front of the house. All the old and useless things are disposed from our house and replaced with new ones. Then rangoli is drawn in front of the houses.

Pongal:

On this day the paddy is reaped. Using the newly reaped rice, "pongal" is made and offered first to God. The sun God is said to come on a chariot that is driven by seven horses. Turmeric sprigs and sugarcane is placed in the pooja. The pooja is dedicated to the sun god and his chariot.

Then food is offered to God. Once the pooja is done, everyone in the house take a little Pongal and sprinkle it around the house. This is done as a ritual to ask God to bless their home. People on this day generally wear new dresses, use new utensils or even household items and discard the old ones the previous day. New rice on this day is cooked in pots until it over flows.

This overflowing of rice means Pongal. This ceremony of overflowing of rice is considered as a joyous occasion. This occasion has no actual meaning but is an expression of happiness that the new harvest is here and they enjoy it by dancing and making music. The dish called Pongal is cooked and prepared, with rice dal and sugar. Pongal is also called as "venpongal", ven means white. Another kind of it is prepared with dhal and jaggery which is called chakraipongal. chakrai means sweet. The other common dishes prepared during pongal are Brinjal, Sambar, vada , idli.

Maatu Pongal:

The next day is called as maattu Pongal - which is pongal for the cows. Cows are worshipped on this day (according to Hindu culture cows are considered holy). The cows are decorated. Their horns are painted, colors are applied and some clothes are tied on the cows. Then the cow is taken around to each house. On this day in some villages in south India, there are bull fights are held.

Kaanum Pongal:

This is the last day of Pongal. People on this day go out and enjoy. This is a day when everyone spends time outside the house. People on this day travel to see their near relatives. During this day, the smaller members of the family pay their respects to their elders, and the elders bless them by giving them some money. Some food is left on some leaves for birds to eat. Some begin their day by visiting the temple.