Celebrating Pongal at home

It is now! We know you're as excited as we are - about Tamil Nadu's single most popular festival, which is almost arriving. When did you first experience the Pongal festival?

Pongal, a harvest festival observed in the middle of January, is among the most auspicious days for the people of Tamil Nadu. The holiday known as Pongal, which in Tamil means "to boil," is observed as a manner of giving thanks for the previous year's harvest. Pongal is also the name of a delicious dessert consisting of rice, lentils, and jaggery; making and eating this dessert is an essential aspect of the festival. Make this harvest festival happier for your senior ones at the Athulya home healthcare by living as a family.

The pongal celebration is primarily devoted to Surya, the Sun God, as a gesture of gratitude for bountiful harvests and a prosperous year. The festival's date, which occurs at the end of the Christmas and the beginning of the sun's journey northward, contributes to Pongal's strong connection to the sun. It's interesting to note that Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival observed all over India, and Pongal coincides with one another.

The Tradition of Pongal celebration!

People, especially the lady of the house, clean and decorate the entire house with flowers and flower garlands a few days before Pongal. They decorate large earthen pots with Swastik and kumkum. Either the youngest or the eldest member of the family fills the pit with water and rice. According to tradition, it is essential to add milk to the water used to cook the rice that will be served to the Sun God. People who participate in preparing rice for God must take extreme care to keep themselves clean. The Rangoli, which has been created for decoration, is not to be stepped on.

In Tamil Nadu, there are four important days associated with the festival.

The first day – Bhogi ­­Pongal

The day of Bhogi Pongal is when people clean and decorate their homes. It is essential to pray for a year of abundant rainfall since Lord Indra, the god of rain, is especially revered on this day. Old and worthless household items are typically burned in flames by cow dung cakes and wood as part of this day's major ritual.

Seniority tip: Avoid allowing seniors with asthma to spend prolonged periods of time outside during bhogi since the smoke may be hazardous and create respiratory difficulties.

The second day – Thai Pongal

The Festival's main day, honoring the Sun God.  It is also known as Surya Pongal and is a family occasion. Rice and milk are combined and then boiled in an outside clay pot as part of an unique ceremony. A trumpet is blown, and the yell "Pongalo Pongal" is heard as the rice and milk boil over. The phrase "may this rice boil over" is a request for a year filled with plenty and prosperity. Drawing kolams is a significant element of this day as well.

Seniority tip: Keep elders away from the camp stove because the smoke could make them uncomfortable.

The third day – Mattu Pongal

The day of Mattu Pongal is when cows are honored and decorated with garlands and jewels. The narrative surrounding Lord Shiva and his bull Basava is the basis for the holiday.

Seniority tip: To keep your elders interested, host games for seniors like Pallanguzhi and Dhaayam as well as musical sessions .

The fourth day – Kaanum Pongal

The final day of the festival is known as Kaanum Pongal. The significant custom of this day is distributing the leftover sweet pongal and other items like betel leaves, betel nuts, and sugar cane across the courtyard. The women of the home carry out the ceremony and plead for the family's prosperity in the name of their relatives.

 

Seniority tip: You can play easy games or fun activities with your elders to get them in the festive spirit.

 

Hope this blog would have helped you understand about the history and reason behind Pongal festival. Athulya Home Healthcare wishes you a happy and prosperous pongal.