Pongal Festival 2023: One of the most popular festivals in India is Pongal which is widely celebrated by the Tamil community across the globe. According to the Tamil calendar, Pongal is celebrated in the month of Tai. This is a four-day event dedicated to the Sun God. It also marks the beginning of Uttarayan, the Sun’s journey northward. Why is Pongal festival celebrated, how is it celebrated and what is its significance? Let us find out!
On this glorious day – the sun is worshiped as the source of life behind all creation. Filled with love and celebration, Pongal is an important festival in the Culture of Tamil Nadu.
Happy Pongal!#Pongal pic.twitter.com/ygHS8nGJN1
– Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI)
January 15, 2023
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When is Pongal 2023? Know the date here
According to the Gregorian calendar, Pongal festival will be celebrated on January 15, 2023. It is a four-day festival. So it will be held from January 15 to January 18, 2023.
What is Pongal Festival?
The term ‘Pongal’ is derived from Tamil literature meaning ‘to boil’. This is an ancient festival of South India, especially of the Tamil people. It is basically a four-day harvest festival held in Tamil Nadu in January-February (Thailand) during the solar equinox after harvesting crops such as rice, sugarcane, turmeric, etc
Pongal Festival is a four-day celebration. Every day is marked by different festivals- The first day is called Bhogi festival; The second day is called Thai Pongal; the third day is called Mattu Pongal; The fourth day is called Kaanum Pongal.
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History of Pongal festival
The history of the festival can be traced back to the Sangam period and is considered ‘Dravidian Harvest Festival’. But some historians believe that this festival dates back to at least 2,000 years ago. It is organized as Niradal Thailand.
According to legend, during this festive season, unmarried girls prayed for the agricultural prosperity of the country, and for this purpose they did penance during the Tamil month of Margazhi. They abstain from consuming milk and dairy products and do not apply oil to their hair throughout the month. The use of harsh words is strictly limited by them. The early morning bathing ceremony is part of the penitential rite.
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Why is Pongal celebrated?
According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Shiva once asked Basava (Beef) visited Earth and asked Humans to give them massages and oil baths every day. But Basava (Beef) Dad eats every day and takes an oil bath once a month. This angered Lord Shiva and he cursed Basava (Bull) to live on Earth forever and said that Basava (Bull) must plow the fields and help people produce more food. Therefore, people after harvesting will celebrate this festival with crops and livestock.
Importance of Pongal
As we know that India is an agricultural country and most of the festivals are nature oriented. Like other festivals, Pongal is called Uttarayan Punyakalam has special significance in Hindu mythology and is considered extremely auspicious.
It is basically a harvest festival or it can be considered a ‘thanksgiving’ festival as it is celebrated to thank the Sun God and God Indra for helping the farmers have a good harvest. During the festival, people reject old things and welcome new things.
The preparation of the traditional dish “Pongal” is the most important custom of the festival. Freshly harvested rice is used, cooked by boiling with milk and raw cane sugar (palm sugar). Sweet dishes sometimes have additional ingredients such as cardamom, raisins, green beans and cashews. Other ingredients include ghee and coconut (clarified butter from cow’s milk). Some people prepare Pongal in addition to the sweet version, such as savory and salty varieties (venpongal). In certain communities, women gather together to cook as a social activity by bringing their “cooking pots” to the town center, or main square, or near a temple where they choice, or simply in front of their own home.
The dish is made in honor of the Sun god, Surya, and is prepared in the sun, usually in a courtyard or porch. The traditional greeting on Pongal day is to “cook rice” and invite family and friends to attend.
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Source: pagasa.edu.vn