Pongal in Different Regions

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Pongal in Different Regions

 

 

 

India is a land rich in festivals and celebrations.

A bulk of the population in India counts on agriculture for their

living. Most of the festivals are thus associated with agricultural

actions. Though these festivals have different names and rituals all

over the country, they are the same.

 

 

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Pongal, the Harvest Festival

or the thanksgiving to God, is celebrated in mid-January with cheerful

festivities and rituals. The four-day long Harvest Festival starts with

Bhogi Pongal on the last day of the Tamil month and the next day Surya

Pongal is being celebrated. On this day Chakarai Pongal or Sweet Rice

is presented to Sun God. Mattu Pongal is celebrated on the third day by

devoting it to the Cattle. Cows are given bath and ornamented with

colorful flowers and beads. Bull fights called Jallikattu are held. On

this day the sisters pray for the well being of their brothers. Pongal

ball and colorful rice are offered to the birds. The celebrations end

with Kanum Pongal on the fourth day with a picnic for the young and the

old to enjoy the day.

 

Karnataka

Pongal, known as Sankranti in Karnataka,

is celebrated among people by paying visits to relatives and family to

greet them. A special food item called Ellu is prepared. It is a

traditional practice in Karnataka to exchange Ellu and sugarcane pieces

with each other’s neighbors, symbolizing existence of sweetness. The

richly decorated cows and bullocks are fed Pongal. Men and women

dressed in colorful clothing visit the temples to offer special

prayers.

 

Kerala

In Kerala on Pongal a number of pilgrims visit the Sabarimala hill shrine to witness the miracle called Makara Jyothi

during the Deeparadhana in the evening. On this special occasion Lord

Ayyappa is decorated with precious jewels called Thiruvaabharanam.

 

 

Maharashtra

The Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra

is celebrated by flying colorful kites all over the sky. People

exchange among themselves home made til and gur laddoos, symbolizing

everybody’s speech to be as sweet as gur all the year round. A woman

recently wed, distributes sesame seeds, oil and cotton to bring

prosperity and long life into her family.

 

 

 

 

 

Gujarat

Pongal Day in Gujarat is celebrated just as in Maharashtra. It’s a tradition

in Gujarat to present gifts to the relatives and granting students

scholarships for higher studies in astrology and philosophy by Gujarati

Pundits. Kites of different shapes, sizes and colors are seen in the

sky.

 

 

Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh Pongal is known as Kicheri.

Mass population visit Prayagraj, the confluence of Ganga, Jamuna and

Saraswati rivers where Kumbh Mela goes on for one month each year. The

Magha Mela is held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad. People also go to

Haridwar and Garh Mukteshwar for taking holy bath. Kite flying

competitions are also a usual practice.

-- OM  GURU  NATHASAI  GURU  NATHA