Pongal is celebrated in the month of Shravan and is a four-day-long festival that focuses on cherishing the simple and natural way of life in the villages. Literally translated ‘Pongal’ means ‘boiling over,’ that is, the boiling over of the porridge that is eaten on Pongal. This sweet pudding is created from harvested rice and eaten by men, women, and animals alike. On the occasion of Pongal, people decorate their cows, take out processions, and create artistic rangolis with homemade rice flour.
The festival is celebrated with lots of verve and enthusiasm by the people of south India. People decorate their homes with rangoli, and fresh flowers and adorn themselves with new apparel. On this auspicious day, farmers bring home newly harvested rice and prepare a rice dish known as 'Pongal'. They even feed the cattle and thank Lord Surya for the bountiful harvest. Along with these traditional customs, the festival is made remarkable by exchanging gifts. People share gifts to strengthen the bond of love and affinity between relatives, friends, and neighbors. During the four days festival, people visit near and dear ones' homes and exchange a box of mouth-watering sweets, a trayful of assorted dry fruits, and a Pongal gift.
The festival of Pongal celebrates the divine blessings of the deity Sun. It leads to prosperity in the life of the people because of a good harvest. The name of the festival is derived from a famous sweet dish which is usually prepared on the eve of Pongal and is offered to the deity in order to worship them. The festivity initiates from the last day of Margazhi month and is concluded on the very 3rd day of the Thai month as per the Tamil calendar. As per the Gregorian calendar, the day is usually celebrated on any date between 13th January to 16th January.
Celebrations of the Pongal festival continue for four days and the first day is the actual time of celebration. This is mainly a festival for the Sun God whom the devotees give thanks for granting them a good harvest. Women draw kolam, which is similar to rangoli or alpona, all around their houses and workplace. The dish Pongal is the main part of this festival as this rice dish also derives its name from the event. Pongal is prepared in the daylight when everybody is present and contributes towards cooking it. The dish can be sweet and also savory being served on coconut leaves to everyone present at the fresh harvest.
