Thai Pongal

Source:Dæhæna – Monthly e-Newsletter January 2021

Thai Pongal is a uniquely Tamil festival as opposed to many other Hindu festivals that Tamils celebrate. Pongal is the only festival of the Hindus that follows a solar calendar and is celebrated on January 14 every year. Pongal has astrological 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. Pongal is the day when the pot of milk and rice must boil over. Early in the morning, before sunrise, the women of the house draw intricate kolam outside their doors. Within the perimeters of kolam, firewood is used to cook the rice. This is the Surya Pongal, the Pongal for the Sun God.
The following day’s Mattu Pongal is dedicated to cattle. Cattle play an important part in farming, thus Mattu Pongal is the day when cattle are worshipped and given a day of rest. They are bathed, their horns painted with shining colours and then they are fed and taken to the village centre where the devotees offer them flower garlands.
Happy Pongal.
Courtesy: http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/14731