Pongal Festival

Significance of Pongal Festival

The festival of Pongal holds great significance in the hearts of South Indian people. Celebrated at the peak of the winter solstice, it signifies the unbreakable bond between nature and humans. Below are the key reasons explaining the significance of Pongal festival:

• Renewal of Life: During the four days of the Pongal festival, people replace old items (clothes, household items) with new ones and burn old ones in a bonfire. This simple act symbolises renewal of life by letting go of the past and negativity and welcoming positive things in life.
• New Beginnings: The Pongal festival symbolises ‘new beginnings’ as it marks the start of the Thai month (per the Tamil calendar) and the Sun’s northward journey, called ‘uttarayan’.
• Honouring Lord Surya: Per the Tamil culture and tradition, Uttarayan Punyakalam is a time to honour Surya Deva (the Sun) for plentiful harvest. Besides the Sun, people also credit the Mother Nature and farm animals for harvests.
• A Time of Prosperity & Wealth: Legend says that at the time of Pongal, the Hindu Gods wake up after a long six-month sleep and bless the devotees on Earth with immense wealth and prosperity.
• Sun’s Transition Into Capricorn: Lastly, the festival of Pongal also marks the transition of Lord Surya into Capricorn (Makar rashi). This astrological transition signifies hope, growth and stability.

Rituals and Customs Followed During 4 Days of Pongal

A four-day festival, Pongal have unique rituals and customs that reflect Tamil culture and traditions. Every ritual has meaning, from honoring the Surya Deva to burning old items to letting go of negativity. Below are the key customs followed during these four days:

• Bhogi Pongal

The first day of Pongal known as Bhogi Pongal, marks the beginning of the Pongal festival. The first day is dedicated to Lord Indra, who saved their crops from being damaged by the droughts. On this day, people decorate their homes with Rangoli, known as Kolams and clean their homes.

• Surya Pongal

The second day is dedicated to Surya God, where the devotees unite to worship Lord Surya. On this day, fresh milk is boiled until it touches the tip of the vessel. So this is how the celebration of Pongal begins. After the Prasad, made out of milk, rice, and jaggery, is prepared, it is first offered to Lord Surya.

• Mattu Pongal

The Mattu Pongal is dedicated to Cows and oxen because the successful harvesting of crops is only possible because of them. On this day, the homes of cows and oxen are cleaned, decorated and offered with freshly made Pongal after offering to God. Bullfights are also organised in some regions of Tamil Nadu known as the Jallikattu.

• Kaanum Pongal

Kaanum Pongal is also traditionally referred to as Karinaal in Tamil Nadu. This is the last day of the Pongal festival, where Sarkarai Pongal is offered to the Sun God. People visit their dear ones to celebrate the joy of sweetness by exchanging sugar canes and offerings to the Gods. People also perform a traditional Tamil dance known as Kali Attam.

Effective Remedies For Pongal Festival

Pongal is a time to attract and good fortune! But by following the simple remedies, one can make this festival more auspicious and attract more prosperity. Here are the effective ways to attract abundance and endless blessings during Pongal:

• Strengthen the Planet Sun: Offer Surya Arghya at sunrise while chanting ‘Om Suryaya Namah’ to strengthen the position of the Sun in your birth chart. One can also chant the Aditya Hridayam Strotam to get rid of karmic obstacles and balance the afflicted Sun.
• Wear Lucky Colours: One must wear or incorporate lucky colours during the Pongal celebrations. The colours red and orange are linked to the planet Surya and attract confidence, radiance and positivity into life.
• Feed or Donate: Feeding cows jaggery and grass and offering grains to birds on Pongal festival is believed to attract good luck. Moreover, donating sesame seeds, jaggery, blankets or food to those in need also brings blessings.
• Decorate Home With Kolam: During the Pongal festival, draw Kolam patterns with rice flour at the home’s entrance or main door. This simple Kolum patterns will prevent any negative energy entering the house and also invite positivity and bring good fortune.

Read About Other Important Festivals