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Significance of Pongal festival
Posted on: 14/Jan/2018 8:17:23 AM
The holy festival of Pongal is celebrated as an intent of expressing our gratitude to the Sun God who gives abundant light to the world and that all the human lives should be blessed with a happy and prosperous life.
As per the Hindu religious terms, the Northern movement of Sun is called Utharayanam and its southern movement is known as Dakshinayanam. The 1st day of the Tamil calendar month Thai signals the commencement of the period Utharayanam which will last for 6 months until the end of the Tamil calendar month Ani. The period beginning from the Tamil Calendar month Adi till the end of the month Margazhi is known as Dakshinayanam.
The occasion of Pongal signifies the beginning of the Northern movement of the Sun and the end of the southern movement.
Pongal is celebrated as offering our gratitude to the Sun God which offers the basic necessity of life – light and also the cattle which assist in the agricultural activities.
As per the centuries-old Tamil tradition, the whitewashing of the houses are done 10 days before the harvest festival of Pongal and the house is decorated with festoons and a special wreath of leaves and flowers is made and tied to the roof of the house.
A new earthen pot is taken, decorated and a wreath of ginger, turmeric is tied around its neck. Then the pot is filled with the freshly harvested rice and other items. The stove is lit and Pongal is cooked. As the Pongal boils in the pot, the family members shout ‘Pongalo Pongal’ with enthusiasm and pray.
The Sun God is prayed and a special offering is given on a head plantain leaf with sugarcane and other items as a token of gratitude to the Sun God.
The next day after Pongal is celebrated as ‘Mattu Pongal’ dedicated and gratitude offered to the cattle. The 2nd day after Pongal is celebrated as ‘Kanum Pongal’ marking a special occasion of visiting the near and dear of the family and enjoy celebrating the Pongal in the sweetest possible way signifying the long Tamil tradition.
Live Chennai wishes you all a very Happy and prosperous Pongal festival.
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