Warm thoughts reach out, to all those who are held dear, as the auspicious festival that marks the beginning of the harvest season, draws near. As the festival of Pongal is here, hoping it ushers in good days, that are filled with happiness and cheer, and the fervor it symbolizes, stays with you throughout the year.
About Pongal Festival
Thai Pongal or Pongal is a thanksgiving or harvest festival celebrated by Tamilians at the end harvest season. It is one of the most important festivals celebrated at Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Pongal marks the beginning of the northward journey of the Sun from
its southernmost-limit, a movement traditionally referred to as 'uttarayana'. It coincides with the festival Makara Sankranthi celebrated throughout India as the winter harvest, and is usually held from January 13–16 in the Gregorian calendar. The second of the four days or the first day of month Thai
is the main day of the festival which is known as Pongal or Thai
Pongal. This also represents the Indic solstice when the sun purportedly
enters the 10th house of the Indian zodiac
The word 'pongal ' itself refers to the "boiling over" of milk and rice during the month of Thai. The saying "Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum" meaning "the commencement of
Thai paves the way for new opportunities" is often quoted regarding the
Pongal festival. Tamils thank the Sun god (Surian)
for the good harvest and consecrate the first grain to him on this
'Surya Mangalyam'. Tamilians decorate their homes with banana and mango
leaves and embellish the floor with decorative patterns drawn using rice
flour (Kolam).
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