Pongal

The first day of Pongal is known as Bhogi, where people start the celebration by cleansing and ritually burning old clothes and objects which are no longer useful. After that, the Pongal feast is traditionally prepared in the style of South Indian ritual feasts, with rice as one of the central dishes. On this day, people pray to the Sun God, thank him for bringing abundance of light and energy to the Earth's surface.

The second day of Pongal is devoted to offering dishes and prayers to gods and goddesses. On this day, a sacred pot is placed and decorated with leaves, grains, and fruits. In the pot, newly harvested rice is cooked. Haldi and kumkum are applied on the pot to give it sacred touch. Prayers are then offered and the cooked dish, known as Pongal, is divided among the people.

The third day is known as Kaanum Pongal and is dedicated to family gatherings and reunions. During this day, relatives and close friends visit and exchange gifts. People travel long distances to meet their relatives and friends and take part in family celebrations.

The fourth and last day of Pongal celebration is known as Thiruvalluvar Day. Devotees will visit the temple to pay homage to the great poet Thiruvalluvar, who wrote an epic poem called Thirukural, consisting of 1,330 couplets. People also exchange gifts and savouries during Pongal celebrations.

During the Pongal celebration, people cook milk and rice together in an earthen pot. This is made to signify fertility, wealth and prosperity. This is known as the “Pongal Nazhai”. People decorate their houses, wear traditional clothes, beat drums, play music and celebrate the occasion with great enthusiasm.

Pongal is a joyous festival, celebrated for four days with religious fervor and enthusiasm. It is the harvest festival of the state, which marks the end of the short winter and start of a several months of warmth. Through these celebrations, people make a mark that life is much more than just farming and hard work.