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Pongal |
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Celebration of Pongal
Pongal celebration is one of the popular festivals of Tamil Nadu. The festival can be put side by side to 'Makar Sankrati', a popular celebration in northern parts of the country. Pongal is a three day festival that begins every year on January 14. Around that time, in West Bengal and in northern parts of the country 'Makar Sankranti' is celebrated. The festival begins during the month of Thai (the first day of Tamil calendar).
2009 Pongal : The Harvest Festival
The term 'Pongal' means reaping of paddy. The moment the new rice sprouts up, Pongal is made and the offerings are made at the Altar of God. Like other popular festivals of the country, during the celebration of Pongal festivals, the devotees pay their gratitude at the altar of The Almighty with faith and devotion. Devotees take a vow, 'May our old vices are given out with positives are welcomed during the new season.' |
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Festival of Pongal
Pongal festival is a festival of chariot. The entire rituals are performed in a chariot with turmeric sprigs and sugarcane. Then it is offered to the God. In Karantaka, this festival is celebrated as 'Sankranti'. The moment Puja is over, devotees take a small amount of Pongal to their house and throw it all over the house.
Pongal is the only popular Hindu festival held as per the dates given in the solar calendar. Pongal is significant from the astronomical point of view. It marks the beginning of Uttarayan, meaning the movement of the sun towards the northerly direction for six month duration. In Hindu religion, Uttarayan is considered as pious as opposed to Dakshinayya meaning the southern movement of the sun. Makar Sankranti is the period when the sun enters the period of Makara or Capricorn.
Though Pongal festival has more of an urban flavor, still its importance is very evident in the rural belt of Tamil Nadu. There is an exchange of wishes taking place so that the next season becomes prosperous for everybody. The farmers pass the couple of days of Pongal celebrations amidst mirth and gay. During the period of celebrations of Pongal, more parallel celebrations like Bogi, Mattupongal and Thiruvallavur are also celebrated.
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