Why Is The Pongal Festival Celebrated?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Importance of the Pongal

It is basically a harvesting festival or it can be considered as the ‘thanksgiving’ festival’ because this festival is celebrated to thank the Sun God and Lord Indra for helping farmers in getting better-yielding crops . During the festival, people reject old belongings and welcome new stuff.

Why the Pongal is celebrated?

Importance of the Pongal

It is basically a harvesting festival or it can be considered as the ‘thanksgiving’ festival’ because this festival is celebrated to thank the Sun God and Lord Indra for helping farmers in getting better-yielding crops . During the festival, people reject old belongings and welcome new stuff.

Why is Pongal celebrated in January?

Pongal is mostly celebrated at the beginning of the Tai month according to the Tamil solar calendar, which generally falls on January 14. Pongal means ‘to boil over or overflow’ in reference to the dish that is traditionally prepared on this day. The dish involves a new harvest of rice, milk and jaggery .

Why do we celebrate Pongal in Tamilnadu?

The festival is known by different names across several parts of India. In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is known as Pongal. It is usually celebrated as it is calculated in the solar calendar. It is an auspicious celebration as it marks the sun’s entry to the tropic of Capricorn (Makaran Rashi) from the Tropic of Cancer .

What is the history of Pongal festival?

History of Pongal festival

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.

Which God is Worshipped on Pongal?

The first day of the festival is called Bhogi Pongal, when people worship the sun god and Mother Earth . The first paddy harvested is cooked with milk to make a sweet dish for the occasion.

What is Pongal called in Kerala?

Pongala is a harvest festival of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The name ‘Pongala’ means ‘to boil over’ and refers to the ritualistic offering of porridge made of rice, sweet brown molasses, coconut gratings, nuts and raisins. Generally women devotees participate in this ritual. Tamil people celebrate as Pongal.

What does each day of Pongal signify?

Pongal festivities are spread across four days and each day has a particular significance. The first day of Pongal is called the Bhogi festival which honours Lord Indra, the rain God . ... The second day of Pongal is known as Thai Pongal which celebrates the Sun God.

What is the most important festival of Kerala?

  • Onam – The National Festival of Kerala. A legend of Onam is about the sweet memories of distant past when Mahabali, a celebrated emperor of the Asuras (demons) was supposed have ruled over Kerala. ...
  • Vishu. ...
  • Navarathri. ...
  • Deepavali. ...
  • Maha Shivarathri. ...
  • Christmas. ...
  • Easter. ...
  • Miladi Sherif.

What are the 4 days of Pongal 2020?

  • Day One of Pongal – Bhogi.
  • Day Two of Pongal – Surya Pongal.
  • Day Three of Pongal – Mattu Pongal.
  • Four Day of Pongal – Kaanum Pongal.

What do we eat on Pongal?

  • 1 Til Ladoo. Til Ladoo is one of the sweet delicacies prepared during Makarsankranti and Pongal. ...
  • 2 Sweet Pongal. ...
  • 3 Veg Pongal. ...
  • 4 Rava Pongal. ...
  • 5 Chakkara Pongal. ...
  • 6 Tamarind Rice. ...
  • 7 Curd Rice. ...
  • 8 Bisi Bele bath.

How many days Pongal celebrate?

Celebrated over four days , Pongal also marks the beginning of the Tamil month called Thai, which is considered an auspicious month. It usually falls on the 14th or 15th of January each year.

Where was Pongal invented?

Five thousand years later, in south India , some genius of a cook ‘accidentally’ boiled rice and Moong dal together, to create the Pongal. This was such a hit that much later, around 200 BC, the ‘Indravizhya’ festival celebrated at Poombuhar came to be called ‘Pongal’.

Is Pongal and Sankranti same?

Is Pongal and Sankranti , the same? Pongal marks the birth of the month of Thai. Around this time, the chilling climate ends and soothing sunny days are born. Sankranti marks the beginning of the northward movement of the sun which is said to bring a change of season and warmer days.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.