Pongal
Also known as: Thai Pongal, Harvest Festival
Pongalo Pongal
Significance
Pongal is Tamil Nadu's harvest festival thanking the Sun God and nature for agricultural abundance. The word 'Pongal' means 'boiling over', symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
Rituals & Observances
- Cooking Pongal dish in new pots
- Letting rice boil over as auspicious sign
- Decorating cattle (Mattu Pongal)
- Kolam (rangoli) designs
- Discarding old items (Bhogi)
Traditions & Customs
- Four-day celebration
- Bhogi - burning old items
- Thai Pongal - main cooking day
- Mattu Pongal - cattle worship
- Kaanum Pongal - family gatherings