Pongal is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. On this day, people thank God for a bountiful harvest. They prepare a special dish called 'Sarkkarai Pongal' and pray for the blessings of Sun God. One of the most popular Tamil festivals, it is celebrated on January 14th every year, when it coincides with Makar Sankranti celebrations in entire North India, Lohri in Punjab, Bhogali Bihu in Assam and Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the very few Dravidian festivals that have survived the Indo-Aryan influences. Pongal also finds little reference in Puranas.
Falling just after the winter solstice and a bountiful harvest, Pongal marks the season of celebration and joyous activities and it is celebrated continuously for four days. On the first day, Bhogi Pongal, celebrations are confined to the house. Evil spirits are driven out of the home and burnt in bonfires, and the house is whitewashed. The second day, Surya Pongal, honors the Sun god. Members of the family wear new clothes and cook - on a new stove and in new pots - a dish with the newly harvested rice, jaggery and moong dal.
The third day is Maattu Pongal, honoring cattle. Cows and bullocks are washed, decorated and worshipped, for their role in ensuring a good harvest. Pongal also marks the beginning of a New Year and is the day to praise and thank God with full devotion, faith and sincerity of heart. The festival covers all living beings including humans, cattle and birds and crops. Even the insects are not overlooked and offered rice and flour, in the form of 'Kollam', on the entrance way of the houses. Thus, Pongal is a day for peace and happiness for all.
Pongal 2013 dates – Pongal Calendar 2013
Bhogi Pongal 2013 – Jan 14
Surya Pongal 2013 – Jan 15
Mattu Pongal 2013 – Jan 16
Kaanum Pongal 2013 – Jan 17
Pongal is the only festival of Hindu that follows a solar calendar and is celebrated on the fourteenth of January every year. Pongal has astronomical significance: it marks the beginning of Uttarayana, Choose Month and Year to create Tamil calendar from following moths, Chithirai, Vaikasi, Ani ,Adi, Avani, Puratasi, Aippasi, Karthikai, Margazhi, Thai, Masi, Panguni,
Tamil Calendar is used mainly by the people of Tamilnadu and Pondicherry and in other parts of the world. Traditional Tamil people use the Tamil Calendar to determine Birth details like Janma nakshatram, birth horoscope etc.
Falling just after the winter solstice and a bountiful harvest, Pongal marks the season of celebration and joyous activities and it is celebrated continuously for four days. On the first day, Bhogi Pongal, celebrations are confined to the house. Evil spirits are driven out of the home and burnt in bonfires, and the house is whitewashed. The second day, Surya Pongal, honors the Sun god. Members of the family wear new clothes and cook - on a new stove and in new pots - a dish with the newly harvested rice, jaggery and moong dal.
The third day is Maattu Pongal, honoring cattle. Cows and bullocks are washed, decorated and worshipped, for their role in ensuring a good harvest. Pongal also marks the beginning of a New Year and is the day to praise and thank God with full devotion, faith and sincerity of heart. The festival covers all living beings including humans, cattle and birds and crops. Even the insects are not overlooked and offered rice and flour, in the form of 'Kollam', on the entrance way of the houses. Thus, Pongal is a day for peace and happiness for all.
Pongal 2013 dates – Pongal Calendar 2013
Bhogi Pongal 2013 – Jan 14
Surya Pongal 2013 – Jan 15
Mattu Pongal 2013 – Jan 16
Kaanum Pongal 2013 – Jan 17
Pongal is the only festival of Hindu that follows a solar calendar and is celebrated on the fourteenth of January every year. Pongal has astronomical significance: it marks the beginning of Uttarayana, Choose Month and Year to create Tamil calendar from following moths, Chithirai, Vaikasi, Ani ,Adi, Avani, Puratasi, Aippasi, Karthikai, Margazhi, Thai, Masi, Panguni,
Tamil Calendar is used mainly by the people of Tamilnadu and Pondicherry and in other parts of the world. Traditional Tamil people use the Tamil Calendar to determine Birth details like Janma nakshatram, birth horoscope etc.
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