Pongal is a traditional harvest festival celebrated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a four-day festival that falls in the month of January and marks the beginning of the sun's six-month-long journey northwards, known as the Uttarayana period. Pongal is a time for families to come together and give thanks for the bountiful harvest, and to celebrate the end of the harvest season.
The festival is celebrated in many different ways, but the most popular way is by preparing and offering a special dish called Pongal. This dish is made by boiling rice, lentils, and milk together and is a symbol of the abundance and prosperity that the harvest brings. It is then offered to the gods and goddesses as a symbol of gratitude.
On the first day of the festival, known as Bhogi Pongal, people clean their houses and discard old possessions to symbolize a fresh start for the new year. The second day, known as Surya Pongal, is dedicated to the sun god, Surya, and is the most important day of the festival. People decorate their houses with kolams (rangoli designs) and prepare traditional dishes to offer to the sun god. The third day, known as Mattu Pongal, is dedicated to cows, which are considered sacred animals in Hinduism. People decorate and honor their cows, and participate in traditional games and competitions. The fourth and final day, known as Kaanum Pongal, is a day for families to come together and participate in community events and activities.
One of the best ways to celebrate Pongal is by sending Pongal greeting cards to friends and family. These cards feature traditional designs and motifs and are a great way to share the joy of the festival with loved ones. Another fun way to celebrate Pongal is by making and displaying traditional Pongal frames. These frames, typically made of bamboo or wood, feature intricate designs and can be used to decorate homes and offices during the festival.
Pongal festival celebrate to give thanks to the sun god and the bountiful harvest, and to mark the beginning of the sun's journey northwards. It is a time for families to come together and celebrate the end of the harvest season. The festival is celebrated in many different ways, but the most popular way is by preparing and offering a special dish called Pongal.
Overall Pongal is a festival that promotes unity and gratitude, and is a great opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the blessings of the harvest. So, sending Pongal greetings cards and making traditional Pongal frames are the small gestures that can help to share the joy and celebration of Pongal festival with loved ones and make the festival more memorable.