Pongal is celebrated with much fervour and gaiety in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, as a thanksgiving for the good harvest season. Pongal, celebrated around 14th January every year marks the withdrawal of the northeast monsoon. This Indian festival is celebrated across the country but with different names like Lohri in North India, Bhogali Bihu in Assam, as Sankranti in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Weather during Pongal
Good weather conditions during Pongal will alleviate the festive mood of people in Tamil Nadu. The maximum temperature will remain in the low thirties. Slightly humid but cool easterly winds will bring down the temperatures to low twenties at night. Sky will remain clear and rain will not hamper the celebrations.
Significance of Pongal
This auspicious festival is celebrated for about four days. On the first day called Bhogi, people burn old household items and purchase new ones. According to mythological beliefs, on this day Lord Krishna had lifted the mountain Govardhan on his little finger to protect cattle and people from the wrath of the rain god Indra. Perum, the second day is the most important day when the sun god is worshiped. This day is also known as Surya Pongal.
On the third day of Mattu Pongal, cattle are offered prayers as they help in producing a good harvest. Again legendary beliefs hold testimony to the fact that on this day Lord Shiva had sent his buffalo Nandi to spread the message that people should take an oil bath every day and eat only once a month. But Nandi delivered the wrong message to bathing once a month and eat daily. Consequently, Lord Shiva kept Nandi on earth for helping humans to harvest more food. The fourth day, Kanum Pongal, marks the end of the Pongal festival.
Gourmet’s Delight
People in South Indian savour various delicious dishes during the harvest festival of Pongal, which means the ‘boiling over’ of milk and rice during the Tamil month of Thai. Some of the important dishes relished during this time such as Venn Pongal, Rava Pongal and Chakara Pongal make this festival a gourmet’s delight.
picture courtesy- blog.buzzintown.com
