Everybody knows about the celebration of Pongal but hardly anyone knows
about its significance and meaning. People celebrating Pongal should be
aware of the meaning & significance of the important rituals
associated with this harvest festival. Pongal or Thai Pongal is also
called Makara Sankaranthi, since it is celebrated on the first day of
Thai when the Sun enters the Makara Rasi (Capricornus). This signals the
end of winter and the onset of spring throughout the northern
hemisphere. For the next six months, the days are longer and warmer. The
period is regarded auspicious and referred to as Uttarayan Punyakalam.
The festival of Pongal is celebrated for a period of four-day. The first
day, Bhogi, is celebrated on the last day of the month of Margazhi. On
this day, people decorate their homesand paints it. New vessels are
bought and old and unwanted things burnt. Indra Vizha was celebrated in
honor of Lord Indra, also called Bhogi, the God of thunder and rain.
Scholars have linked these two festivals and similarity in their
celebration.
The second day is Perum Pongal, the most important. It is also called
Surya Pongal because people worship Surya, the Sun God and his consorts,
Chaya and Samgnya. Women decorate the central courtyard of their homes
with beautiful kolams, done with rice flour and bordered with red clay.
There are several legends associated with Perum Pongal.
The third day is Mattu Pongal, celebrated to glorify cattle that help
farmers in a myriad ways. On this day, the cows are bathed and decorated
with vermilion and garlands and fed. In certain villages in southern
Tamil Nadu, a bullfight called manji-virattu is held in the evening. In
most urban homes, the day is celebrated as Kannu Pongal. Women for the
well being of their brothers offer special prayers. It is that part of
the festival when families used to gather on the riverbanks and have a
sumptuous meal (kootanchoru). It is also time for some traditional
dances such as kummi and kolattam. In recent years, that day is
celebrated as Uzhavar Tirunal in honor of farmers.
