| Pongal |
Pongal is a multi-day harvest festival celebrated in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It marks the end of the winter solstice and the start of the sun's six-month-long journey northwards (the Uttarayanam). The festival is named after the ceremonial "Pongal", which means "to boil, overflow", and refers to the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with jaggery (raw sugar).
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Pongal coincides with the festival of Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated throughout India. Both festivals celebrate the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn), which signifies the arrival of longer days.
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Pongal signifies the importance of the first harvest of the year. It is a time to give thanks to the Sun God and the farm animals for their assistance in providing a successful harvest. The first day of Pongal is dedicated to the rain god, Indra, to thank him for the plentiful harvests.
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Pongal is celebrated over four days. The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is dedicated to Lord Indra. The second day, Surya Pongal, is when the Pongal dish is cooked and offered to the Sun God. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is for honoring cattle, and the fourth day, Kaanum Pongal, is a time for family reunions and thanksgiving.
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While Pongal is predominantly a Tamil festival, Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India with different names and customs. Pongal has a more specific focus on the agricultural and farming community, whereas Makar Sankranti is broader in its celebration of the sun's journey. The rituals and the way the festival is celebrated vary from region to region.
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