Our Pongal Celebration….

Pongal is a harvest festival which is celebrated to thank Sun God Surya. It’s a four days festival. Bhogi, Main Pongal (Perum Pongal), Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal.

Bhogi

The day preceding Pongal is Bhogi. On this day, people wake early and start to discard their old things in fire. This resemble to burning their old sins and getting ready to start a fresh life.

Ashes on the day Bhogi

 Main Pongal (Perum Pongal)

This is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month Thai. On this day we used to draw kolams/rangolis which resembles clay pots and sugarcane. Sweet Pongal (rice, sugar or jaggery) is specially prepared for worship. This sweet Pongal is prepared in Sun light and also Pooja work is also done in Sun light.

Actually we belong to the caste (Kullalar) who will do clay pots. So, in my grandma’s place it’s celebrated very grandly. When I was young, we used to go there and after finishing lunch, we all used to sit in the tree shades eating sugarcanes, chatting, singing, playing together. What a wonderful days…

This time, I had a chance to go there on Pongal. Got some snaps…. Hope you all enjoying it…

Mom's Kolam  ooops i forgot to take in day time

In grandma's place

In grandma's place

In grandma's place

Mom's place

 Mattu Pongal

As we know for harvest, cattle’s play a most vital role. So, on this day these cattle’s (especially cows) are bathed and decorated with paints, sandal, kungumam, balloons…  This day is specially celebrated for them by feeding them much good food as a dedication for their hard works.

New clothes are kept in worship and kids used to wear these clothes after worship. They get blessings from elders. This day is much familiar for Jalikkattu or taming the wild bull for adventurous games. 

Mom's kolam on Mattu Pongal

Dresses were worshiped for our Grand parents

Mom's worship

Google image

Kaanum Pongal

This day, people visit their friends and relatives house as a get together. Brothers specially gift to their sisters as affirmation of their filial love. Landlords present food, clothes and money to their workforce.

Starting as a harvest festival, now it became as a festival where everyone can celebrate it and cherish it…

First Day in Play School…

Today my son started to go play school. We went to temple first then to school. I was little bit worried about him. But by seeing all those toys and new friends, he totally forgot me. He was very excited and I felt very happy. Hope he enjoys his future days too…

His Bag

He's so excited that he didn't even pose me

His play school

Lord Ganesha’s Pooja…

Recently, we had an abishegam in a nearby Lord Ganesha temple. Abhishegam is a ceremony of ablutions and symbolic offerings. It is to make God wet all around.

For Prasadam we used to prepare Sweet Pongal (rice, sugar or jaggery), Sundal (peas), Panjamirtham (honey, banana, apple, orange, pomegranate, dates, grapes…), and Variety rice (curd, tamarind, tomato, coconut, and mango)…

Some Abishegam and its effects…

• Milk                 - Increases our life span
• Yogurt             - Increases our descendants prosperity
• Turmeric          - Goddess Lakshmi’s grace
• Panjamirtham  - Increases our wealth
• Sandal             - Gives Lakshmi’s grace
• Rice powder    - Frees from debts
• Coconut

Water              - Gives enjoyment & full satisfaction in life

• Honey             - Gives melodious voice

Milk Abishegam

Milk collected in a steel bowl is distributed as prasadam

Yogurt Abishegam

Deepam is shown after every Abishegam

Panjamirtham Abishegam

Sandal Abishegam

Prasadam is kept in containers to get God's blessing

Final Decoration

After Abishegam, Prasadam is distributed to all as it’s considered as sacred food or God’s mercy. If a flower fells from God after final decoration, then it is considered as blessings.

Happy Pongal to all of you and your family….

Mehandi Design…

Once I was very crazy in putting mehandi’s. Now, it’s really hard to put with my kid as he’s so naughty.

I came to my mum’s house. While I was viewing a magazine, mehandi design caught my eyes. It’s like in next edition, they are publishing a small additional booklet which consists of tips to wedding ceremony and obviously it includes mehandi designs.

Thought that why not put a design. 

As my parents were taking care of my kid, I thought to put this design to myself. Am not that much professional. I know I applied it little bit thicker.

There is a superstition in the mehandi design. If it’s much darker then it is said that they will get a much adorable hubby.

Sorry, I have some net problem. Posting itself is difficult to me now. Will try to sort it soon and keep up with all of your posts. Take care guys…

Rangoli – Cinquain Challenge

 Rangoli

Festival, Symbol, Design

 Pleasing, Welcoming, Celebrating 

So Innovative which Refreshes our Mind

 Colourful

P.S. Inspired by Fiona’s Cinquain Challenge

I did this Rangoli in my mom’s house

Some Sentimental Things…

There are some sentimental things which some follow some won’t…

• Cutting nails inside our house will lead to quarrel between the family members.
• Lending money/things after 6pm won’t improve family’s growth.
• During Eclipse time, pregnant ladies are told to be much careful as a small scratch by nail on their skin will lead to defect in child’s appearance.
• If girls won’t wash their hands immediately after eating, then their marriages will delay.
• If a coconut which is kept for pooja (prayer) is not good, then it indicates some bad news for the family.
• If a cat crosses in front of us, while we are going for some important work, then it is said that there will be some obstacles.
• If a lamp lit in the pooja room, shuts down itself, then it’s not good for the family head.

It’s not like am following everything… I just listed some things that I have heard and not meant to hurt anyone…. Am sure, there is more like this… Enjoy….

Please feel free to share here….