Ponggal

Iniya Ponggal Thiru Naal Valthukal to all our Indian kaigels out there. I have brought some info on what ponggal is all about. As for myself, I never knew what Ponggal was until i did some surveillance. And this is how, when and what Ponggal is...



History

Pongal in Tamil means "boiling over or spill over." Also known as farmer's festival.
The festival is at least 1000 years old although some believe that the festival is older. As per epigraphic evidence, it used to be celebrated as Puthiyeedu during Medieval Chola empire days. It is thought that Puthiyeedu meant the first harvest of the year. Tamils refer to Ponggal as "Tamizhar Thirunal" meaning "the festival of Tamils".

Bhogi

The day before Ponggal is called Bhogi and on this day people abandon old things and concentrate on new things causing change or transformation. The disposal of derelict things is similar to Holika. This is where all old habits, the vices (an immoral or wicked habit or characteristic), attachment to relations and materials things are sacrificed in the sacrificial fire of the knowledge of Rudra, known as the "Rudra Gita Gyan Yagnya”. It represents realization, transformation and purification of the soul by imbibing and inculcating divine virtues. Its time for some SERIOUS burning.

Thai Ponggal

Thai Pongal are the most widely celebrated festival dedicated to the Sun God Surya. It is celebrated throughout India. People thank the Sun God for ensuring a good harvest and dedicate the first grain to him. For Hindus, Sun stands for “Pratyaksha Brahman” - the manifest God, who symbolizes the one, non-dual, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessing one and all tirelessly. Sun is the one who transcends time and also the one who rotates the proverbial wheel of time. The correlation of cosmic events with individual life is one of the most astounding traits of Hindu Masters. Once this co-relation is brought about, these cosmic events become instrumental in reminding us of the best which we cherish and value.

THE BEST PART IS:

People from various part of India and Asia are also celebrating it.

Tamil Nadu, Tamil Eelam - celebrated as PONGAL

Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, West Bengal,Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Goa,Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh - celebrated as Makara Sankranthi or Sankranthi

Gujarat and Rajasthan - celebrated as Uttarayan

Himachal Pradesh and Punjab - celebrated as Lohri / Maghi

Nepal (by Tharu people) - celebrated as Maghi Nepal - celebrated as Maghe Sankranthi or Maghe Sakrati

Myanmar - celebrated as Thingyan

Laos - celebrated as Pi Ma Lao







Maatu Ponggal

On the day after Ponggal, the animal kingdom is remembered and in particular, the cows, as they help farmers in different ways for agriculture. In Tamil Nadu, adventurous games, Jallikkattu or taming the wild bull contest, is the main event of this day and this is mostly seen in the villages. Mattu Pongal Day is to show our recognition and affection to the Cattle and decorate them with garlands, apply kumkum on their foreheads and give good food. Deco and 'Veera Vilayaatu" Day.

Kanu Pidi is a tradition that the ladies and young girls of the house follow. Women feed the birds and also pray for the well being of their brothers. Women of the family place different kinds of coloured rice, cooked vegetables, banana and sweet pongal on a ginger or turmeric leaf and invite the crows, which descend in hordes to share and enjoy the "Kaka pidi, Kanu pidi" feast. Women offer prayers in the hope that the brother-sister ties may remain forever strong like the family of crows.
CROWS ARE NOT SOMETHING TO BE THOUGHT FUNNY
There are many lessons to be learned from the crow. First of all, if a crow finds some food, he will never eat it alone, but vanish for some time, call out all his friends and relatives, and jointly eat it, confirming the adage. Secondly, the crows never fight with each other for food. Thirdly, they have such an excellent team spirit and co-operation.


Kaanum Ponggal

Its the third and final day of festive. It is a time for families to congregate. Brothers pay special tribute to their married sisters by giving gifts as affirmation of their filial love. Landlords give gifts of food, clothes and money to their workforce. During this day people visit their relatives, friends to enjoy the festive season.This day is a day to thank relatives and friends for their support in the harvest.People do not eat any non-vegetarian during the first three days of the festival and eat it only on the day of Mukkanuma.

I hope my dudes and chikadeess are well fed with information. So lets enjoy this festives with more PONGGA SORRU!!
See ya...