This four-day harvest festival is celebrated in southern India by the Tamil community. It marks the beginning of the spring season and is a celebration to thank Mother Nature, the Sun, and other farm animals that contribute to an abundant harvest. Pongal is also the name of a boiled sweet rice dish that is enjoyed during this time. This is a time when people decorate rice-powder-based kolam art, get together with loved ones, pray, and exchange gifts. It marks the end of the winter solstice and the start of the six-month journey of the sun north.

Pongal is celebrated across four days:

1. Bhogi Pongal: This is when the home is decluttered to mark the beginning of new life.
2. Pongal: Celebrate by boiling fresh milk and allowing it to boil over (what pongal means) to use for food or desserts later on.
3. Mattu Pongal: This day is intended to thank the animals in their land. A ‘taming the bull’ contest is held on this day.
4. Kanum Pongal: This is the day that Kolam art is made and people enjoy picnics, many with sugar cane.

Interesting Facts

• Celebrated in Tamil Nadu, it is largely celebrated anywhere there is a Tamil-speaking population
• On the second day, many worshippers partake in a ritual bath at dawn, believing that the first rays of the sun on this day have special healing properties
• Folk dances like the ‘Kummi’ and ‘Kolattam’ are performed, often accompanied by music from native instruments such as the ‘Nadaswaram’ and ‘Thavil’