Happy Pongal Festival in India – January 15 – 18, 2019

Pongal

Pongal or Thai Pongal is majorly celebrated in southern Indian states and Sri Lanka. India is a land whose primary occupation is agriculture. Changes in the season thus play a significant role for Indian farmers.  Even though it is celebrated in all states of south India, it is observed in Tamil Nadu as a holiday, and it is one of the prominent festivals of that State along with Diwali and Tamil New year Day. Thai Pongal is a four-day festival which according to the Tamil calendar is usually celebrated from January 14 to January 17. It corresponds to the last day of the Tamil month Maargazhi. The Pongal comes on as the sun enters into Capricorn. The day marks the start of the sun’s six-month-long journey northwards. Thai Pongal corresponds to Makara Sankranthi; the harvest festival celebrated throughout India.

Thai Pongal is the day to say thanks to the Sun God for Harvest. It is a day to be grateful for the all the resources needed for agriculture like the sun, rain, cattle and so on. Pongal is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Tamil people. It is also celebrated by people in Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa, United States, Singapore, Canada, and the UK. On the Day of Pongal, people will cook several varieties of food, offer puja to gods and Sun for helping for good harvest, and pray for the better harvest next year also. They believe by showing the thanks and offering the prayers gods will become happy and will bless them with a good harvest for many more years.

History of Pongal

Pongal is an ancient festival for the people in South India particularly Tamilnadu. The origin of the Thai Pongal festival may date back to more than 1000 years ago. Evidence suggests the celebration of the Puthiyeedu was started during the Medieval Chola empire days. Puthiyeedu is assumed to represent the first harvest of the year. Tamil people refer to Puthiyeedu as  Pongal or Tamizhar Thirunaal. Thai refers to the name of the tenth month in the Tamil calendar, Thai.

Happy Pongal Wishes and Quotes

“Let unity be there in your family, Let peace fills among your mind, Let everything be yours from this day.” Wish you Happy Pongal

“On this auspicious day of Pongal I wish you to have all peace and prosperity, Let this festival brings endless happiness to you and your family.” Wish you Happy Pongal

“Pongal is here, an occasion that marks joy and cheer, and brings along everything that’s best. May the festival of the harvest season, be one that brings along with it, all that’s best and everything you’re so deserving of.” Have a memorable Pongal.

“Pongal marks joy and cheer and brings along everything that’s best. May the festival of harvest season be one that brings along with it all that’s best and everything you deserve.” Have a memorable Pongal

“The day for farmers and it is the day for sun, Let all happiness be yours on this pongal day.”

“Wish you a very Happy Pongal, Pot rice to Sun God, Sugarcane to Cow and Ox, Sweet rice to You and Me, Good milk to Friends and Family.”

“Wishing that this festival brings good luck and prosperity and hoping that it is joyous, and fills your days ahead with happiness.” Have a wonderful Pongal.

“Wishing that this festival is one, which brings good luck and prosperity and hoping that it is joyous, and fills your days ahead with happiness.” Have a wonderful Pongal.

“Wishing you all wealth, health and good luck on this special day of pongal.” Wish you a very Happy Pongal.

Happy Pongal Wishes in Tamil

“அறிவு, மகிழ்ச்சி, வெற்றி, புனிதம், வெற்றி கொடுக்கும் வேலை, இவையனைத்தும் இந்த இனிய பொங்கல் குறைவில்லாமல் உங்கள் வாழ்வில் கொண்டு வரட்டும்.” பொங்கல் வாழ்த்துக்கள்

“இது உழவர்கான நாள், சூரியனுக்கான நாள், எல்லா மகிழ்ச்சியும் கொண்டு நீங்கள் வாழ எங்கள் இனிய பொங்கல் வாழ்த்துக்கள்!”

“இந்த இனிய பொங்கல் நாளில் வாழ்வில் எல்லா வளமும் நலமும் அதிர்ஷ்டமும் பெற்று வாழ என் இனிய பொங்கல் வாழ்த்துக்கள்!”

“இந்த புனித நாளாம் பொங்கல் திருநாளில் உங்களது வாழ்வில் அமைதியும் வளமும் பெற்று வாழ என் வாழ்த்துக்கள், இந்த பண்டிகை குறையாத மகிச்சியை கொடுக்கட்டும்.” இனிய பொங்கல் தின வாழ்த்துக்கள்

“குடும்பத்தில் ஒற்றுமை நிலவ, அமைதி மேலோங்க, எல்லாமும் எப்பொழுதும் பெற்று வாழ, இனிய பொங்கல் தின வாழ்த்துக்கள்!”

“சூரியன் தன ஒளி கற்றை இந்த பூமியின் மீது செலுத்துவதை போன்று உங்கள் வாழ்வில் மகிழ்ச்சி பொங்கட்டும், பொங்கல் வாழ்த்துக்கள்!”

“நல்லது நடந்தேற, சூரியன் அவன் ஒளி கற்றை உம் வாழ்வில் வீச வேண்டும், இனிய பொங்கல் தின வாழ்த்துக்கள்!”

Happy Pongal Images

How to celebrate Pongal

Pongal is celebrated for four days, the first day as Bhogi, second as Thai Pongal, third as Maatu Pongal and the last day as Kaanum Pongal. The celebration of Pongal varies with each region. On bhogi, people discard old belongings to the fire and celebrate new possessions. In Tamil Nadu farmers keep medicinal herb like neem, Avram and Sankranti in the northeast corner of each field, to prevent crops from diseases and pests. On the second day which is the main event of the festival is when crops are harvested. On this day milk is boiled, and Pongal is cooked and dedicated to the sun and served to other family members on banana leaves. Tamilians decorate their homes with banana and mango leaves and embellish the floor with decorative patterns drawn using rice flour. The third day is Maatu Pongal which features games such as the Jallikkattu and taming bull. It is a day to celebrate and thank cow by washing them, painting their horns and decorating with garlands. On the last day, villagers visit their relatives and friends. They chew sugar cane and decorate their houses with kolam. Other traditions of the celebration include drawing of Kolam, swinging & cooking of delicious Pongal.

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