Pongal may be a ancient Indian harvest pageant that charms with its vibrant intimations of AN age gone along.
Pongal is well known principally in South India over four days, by farmers United Nations agency thank to 'Surya', the Sun God and giver of life, for the blessings of a fashionable harvest.
New beginnings
In Singapore, Pongal is well known on the commencement of the auspicious month of Thai. On the primary day, 'Bhogi Pongal', celebrations begin with worship of Lord Hindu deity, the Ruler of Clouds and Giver of Rains. Thorough cleanup additionally because the discarding of recent belongings is dole out to suggest a clean slate.
Oil lamps ar lit, new garments ar donned and vibrant styles in rice flour ar created on the floors of homes.
On the second day, 'Surya Pongal', the Sun God is honored. each menage cooks a pot of rice with milk to supply up to Hindu deity at dawn.
Pongal means that to ‘overflow’, thence the pot of rice has got to spill over to symbolise prosperity and abundance. this can be then served to members of the family additionally as any guests to the house. it's a awfully social amount, as relatives and friends visit one another and exchange greetings.
The third day, referred to as 'Mattu Pongal', is ready aside to honour kine – cows ar sacred animals within the Hindu faith.
To remember the work they are doing, like plowing the fields and providing milk, the kine ar clean and their horns painted. Multi-coloured beads, tinkly bells and flower garlands ar placed around their necks and that they ar fed special snacks as a treat.
The ties that bind
The Judgment Day, referred to as 'Kannum Pongal', is all regarding the community and strengthening ties. Younger members obtain the blessing of the older members of their families.
Landlords distribute garments, food and cash to their staff. Offerings ar created at temples whilst special prayers ar conducted.
Infused with the earthy rhythms of farming life, Pongal offers guests a peek into a fashionable culture and some way of life that has been celebrated in Southern India for hundreds of years.
A rich bounty
The term ‘pongu’, which means ‘to boil over’ or ‘flourish’ in Tamil, is what offers the pageant its name. That’s why you’ll see the necessary tradition of filling a replacement clay pot with milk and recent rice, then adding ginger, turmeric, refined sugar, cashew fruity, raisins and clarified butter because it cooks. once it's delivered to a boil and froths over, relations verbalise "pongollo pongal", which implies "may this rice boil over" in Tamil, signifying a want for overflowing fortunes.
