Pongal, which concurs with Makar Sankranti festivities, is one of the biggest festivals in Tamil
Nadu. It is celebrated when the Sun marks its annual transit from Sagittarius to Capricorn. And
today, Tamil people across the globe shall commemorate this auspicious day.
Pongal is one of the biggest festivals for natives of Tamil Nadu. It concurs with Makar Sankranti
festivities and is celebrated when the Sun marks its annual transit from the Dhanu to the Makar
Rashi. People pay ode to the Sun God, and farmers hope for an abundant yield. And the
celebrations spans over three days. It begins with Bhogi, followed by Thai Pongal and Mattu
Pongal.
Boghi is celebrated on the last day of Margazhi month, while Thai Pongal, also known as Surya
or Perum Pongal, marks the beginning of the Thai Masam (as per the Tamil calendar). And the
celebrations usually conclude with Mattu Pongal.
Pongal significance and celebrations
The celebrations begin on the first day with Bhogi Pongal as fresh harvest of rice, sugarcane,
turmeric is brought from the fields. Old and useless domestic articles are discarded and are
burnt along with cow dungs as part of the ritual of Bhogi Mantalu which also signifies new
beginnings.
The second day of the festival, also known as Surya Pongal or Thai Pongal, is dedicated to the
Sun God and is also the first day of the Tamil month Thai. On this day women wake up early in
the morning, clean their houses and decorate homes with beautiful kolam designs. On this day,
the freshly harvested rice is boiled in pots along with milk and jaggery till they overflow and spill.
The ceremony captures the essence of the word Pongal which means to boil or overflow. The
Sun God is offered this dessert before it's served to the family members on banana leaves.