Why Pongal is celebrated in south India? The reason behind this tradition and its epic. Timing to keep Pongal 2021.

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Festivals were created by our ancestors not just to preserve tradition. But also to create awareness of the environmental, social changes around us. It in turn socializes people and spreads joy and smiles all over. One such significant festival is Pongal! The most exciting and oldest tradition followed by south Indians predominantly. Known by many names such as Lohri, Makara Sankranthi, etc. Come let’s dig in to know why Pongal is celebrated in south India.

To denote the end of the winter solstice and to showcase the gratitude towards Sun God, Pongal is celebrated on Tamizh month Thai‘s first day. The 21st century especially after corona has given us vibrant business options. But back in the old day’s agriculture was the only and main occupation of our Nation. For good farming Bright sunlight and adequate rain is essential. So, the farmers dedicate this day to put their effort into offering Pongal to Surya or Sun god and Indra (The lord of devas).

Pongal is celebrated in the spread of four days.

1. Bhogi Pongal — To destroy all the evils and to retrieve a fresh start!

The Pongal festival begins on the day called Bhogi Pongal, and it marks the last day of the Tamil month Marghazi.On this day people discard old belongings and celebrate new possessions. The people assemble and light a bonfire to burn the heaps of discards. Houses are cleaned, painted, and decorated to give a festive look. The horns of oxen and buffaloes are painted in villages. New clothes are worn to mark the start of the festival. The deity of the day is Indra — the god of rains, to whom prayers are offered, with thanks and hopes for plentiful rains in the year ahead. Kids playing a small parai is a beautiful memory to remember!

2. Pongal / Makara Sankranthi / Lohri — A fresh beginning of a whole season full of harvest!

Pongal marks the first day of the Tamil month Thai. It is said that the sun moves towards the north to the zodiac sign Capricorn/Makara. Thus it is also called Makara Sankranti. Since the sun is moving towards the north, the day is also called uttarayan.In Uttar Pradesh localities it is called Lohri. On this day people either cook Pongal in their house premises or in social gatherings such as in front of the temple, etc. It provides an opportunity to interact and exchange wishes amongst people. It is also a day to remind us of colorful kolam memories. Today’s main food / prasadam / sweet is sweet Pongal. Looking for an Authentic Sweet Pongal recipe? Find it at the end of this article. It is said that makara Sankranti happens at 8:29 AM this year (2021).So it is the auspicious time for keeping Pongal.

3.Maatu Pongal — time to celebrate our farmer’s best pals. The bulls !!

Mattu Pongal is celebrated the day after Surya Pongal. Madu in Tamil refers to “cow, bullock, cattle”, and Tamil Hindus regard cattle as sources of wealth for providing dairy products, fertilizer, transportation, and agricultural aid. On Mattu Pongal, cattle are decorated — sometimes with flower garlands or painted horns, they are offered bananas, a special meal, and worshipped. Other events during Pongal include community sports and games such as cattle race, the Jallikattu. The major cultural festivals on Pongal occur near Madurai, Tiruchi, and Thanjavur.

4.Kaanum Pongal-To visit your loved ones !!

Kaanum Pongal marks the end of the Pongal festival. It is a day dedicated to visiting our loved ones and family ones. People exchange greetings of the seasons, their sweets & preparations, and a lot more by visiting them personally. In Chennai, we often see a large amount of crowd at marina beach during kaanum Pongal. Many families hold reunions on this day. Communities organize social events to strengthen mutual bonds. Villagers cut and consume farm-fresh sugarcane during social gatherings.

Kanu Pidi is a tradition observed on Mattu Pongal by women and young girls. They place a leaf of turmeric plant outside their home and feed the leftover Pongal dish and food from Surya Pongal to the birds, particularly crow. They pray for their brothers’ well being, like Bhaiya dooj in north India. Brothers pay special tribute to their married sisters by giving gifts as affirmation of their filial love.

Since when we started celebrating Pongal?

Pongal is an ancient festival of people in South India particularly Tamils. The history of the festival can be traced back to the Sangam Age i.e. 200 B.C. To 300 A.D. 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.

Let’s celebrate our tradition!

India is a secular nation. After all the above, Every festival of the nation shows us a unique way to celebrate the nature and environmental changes around us and also to respect each other’s emotions. Let us all encourage and celebrate our culture-rich festivals and gift the legacy to our future generations as it is!