Thursday 19 January 2012

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…

22 comments:

  1. You never cease to amaze me with how many festivals your country has ~ WoW! The photos are always fabulous! Thank you for sharing this with us, Kalai :)

    Happy Pongal to you, your family and friends! Oh, now that I think of it, I remember wishing Ashok the same thing and told him I'd have to Google it because I didn't know what it was he he!

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  2. Nice writeup on the Pongals kalai! Good to know your celebrations at u r grandma's place and i believe the real celebrations of Pongal hold's in villages. Your mom has drawn a colorful Kolam and you have captured in superb.

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  3. old memories with beautiful pics
    nice post

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  4. interesting information with nice photos...

    thanks for sharing

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  5. Jallikattu is dangerous. I think it should be banned. What is your opinion?

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    Replies
    1. Just as cock fight is banned, bull fight or jallikattu should also be banned. Cruelty to animals.

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  6. Hello my friend, Thank you for sharing this to us... nice photos too... Now, I just want to inform you that if in case you want to add a custom contact form here I have it at SB just now... see you my friend :) ♥♥♥

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  7. nice captures...hope you had wonderful Pongal celebrations!

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  8. I miss it verymuch. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Glad to know that I can leave comment again here :)
    The way you celebrate Pongal is very interesting!

    Have a great weekend, dear

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  10. Nice pics...hope u had a wonderful pongal celebration !

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  11. Very beautiful pictures. I am sure that you a had a wonderful celebration of pongal.

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  12. Nice Pongal Kolam from your mother's front yard. This is one festival we do so much and enjoy for so many days. It is meant for spending time with relatives and bonding specially.

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  13. very useful really good information thanks for posting such a good information it will hepls the people a lot keep it up , Regards,
    chakkara pongal recipe


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  14. Wonderful blog! Pongal is a harvest festival of Tamil Nadu dedicated to the Sun God and lasts for 4 days. Many corporate looking for the Pongal celebration ideas, and engage their employees in various Pongal special activities and games.

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