PONGAL O PONGAL!

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Pongal is a joyous thanksgiving festival celebrated in Tamilnadu. It marks the beginning of a season and is celebrated as an act of gratitude to nature for the fruitful harvest. It is celebrated for four days.
On the first day, Bhogi, people clean their houses and throw away old and unwanted belongings. This symbolises the removal of undesirable things in life and starting anew. The second day is marked by the worship of the Sun God, Surya, by decorating houses with traditional Kolams and by preparing Pongal (A dish prepared by boiling rice and milk) in an earthen pot with the first rice harvested. The word Pongal is literally translated as 'spilling over’, which represents the overflowing of the pongal from the pot. The next day is Maatu pongal, during which gratitude is pakd to cows. They are bathed in turmeric water, given good rest, food and fodder, and worshipped. The last day of this festival is Kaanum Pongal. Kaanum Pongal is translated as ‘visiting pongal’. On this day, people visit their friends and family and exchange sweets and savouries and spend time together. This day is also marked by a small ritual done by women praying for the well-being of their brothers.

-Nithyasri. S


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