The festival of Pongal is celebrated mainly in Southern India and is a parallel to the more widely celebrated occasion of Makar Sankranti (January 14th). Pongal is usually celebrated over a span of four days with great fervor and is connected to the harvest, the sun, the end of winter and many more traditional events which have their roots in legend and hinduism.
This article is our archive (or linked-list) of (perhaps) some of the most informative articles on Pongal – they cover the subjects of tradition, significance, legends and food recipes connected with this wonderful festival. Happy Pongal!
Thanks giving day for Sun God Surya Deva – Pongal Festival of Tamilians | Star Sai
A very well-written, heartfelt article about the tradition of PongalGone are the beautiful days in tamilnadu, india. In my mothers Village in Rajavallipuram in Tirunelveli, they keep pongal in mud pots in a mud stove and the fire will be created using dry woods
Photo courtesy starsai.com
Four Days of Pongal
According to folklore, the first day of Pongal is celebrated to pay homage to Lord Krishna, as he lifted the Govardhan Parvat (mountain) to save his people from the incessant rain. In relation with the third day of the Pongal, it is said that Lord Shiva sent his divine vehicle Nandi – the bull, on the earth, to give the message to the people that they must have an oil bath everyday, while they must eat only once in a month.
Pongal Festival on Makara Sankranti
This holy day marks the commencement of the Sun’s northern course in the Heavens, known as the Uttaraayana patha. This turn in the Sun’s course takes place at the point of time when it enters the sign of Makara or Capricorn. Interestingly, this is the only festival in Hindu/Indian calendar that follows a solar calendar and is celebrated on the fourteenth of January every year (all other Hindu festivals are computed using the lunar calendar).
Pongal Festival | Tamil Pongal recipes
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