பொங்கல் திருநாள்

one of proud Tamilans' occasion is Ponggal. meaning 'boil and spill over' literally, it is a celebration dedicated to farmers, the Sun and cow or cattle.

Ponggal signifies that the end of farming season and it is the time to harvest. basically it means, jumping out of farmers monotonous routine. most auspicious ossacions are done after Ponggal which resides in the Tamil month  Thai.

Ponggal symbolizes a bountiful harvest, rice is cooked in new pots until they boil over. symbolically marking the overjoy, prosperity, fertility and all good things in ones life starts after the Ponggal festival. little thanksgiving prayers are set towards The Sun (root source of life sprouting on earth), The God, and cows/catttle (animals used to plough soils). the direct similarities of Ponggal can be traced in occasions like Thanksgiving Day and harvest festivals.

Pongal has astronomical significance: it marks the beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun's movement northward for a six month period. In Hinduism, Uttarayana is considered auspicious, as opposed to Dakshinaayana, or the southern movement of the sun. All important events are scheduled during this period.

Ponggal denotes the starting of the auspicious Thai month which most auspicious events are carried out. the first day of Thai is called Makara Sankranthi which refers to the event of the Sun entering the zodiac sign of Makara or Capricorn.(Sun positions is on the Capricorn region inthe constellation cycle)

Ponggal is celebrated as three days event. The first day known as Suriya Ponggal. done on early morning, Suriya Ponggal is an appreciation celebration to the Sun God. the second day is Maattu Ponggal which is thanksgiving day to cows. the last one is Kanni Ponggal which are for virgins. bachelorettes will perform Ponggal prayers in wish for good husbands. all three days are celebrated by cooking the sweet Ponggal rice in a earthern pot on brick based stove (fueled by logs).

பொங்கல் என்பது,

சங்கத் தமிழனின்

தேசியத் திருவிழா,

வீசிய விதையின்,

வேரில் முளைத்த,

வியர்வைப் பூக்களின்,

இயற்கைத் திருவிழா..