Harvest Festival

Every year from 14th January to 17th January, in South India, a festival called Pongal is celebrated. This is otherwise called as Hindu Harvest festival. As India is a country with more than 100 languages and distinct cultures, this festival is celebrated in the states called Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Hyderabad, in South India with great pomp. It is said that this is one of the major festival in Srilanka.

This festival is actually celebrated by Tamil and Telugus situated globally, all over the world. This festival is usually celebrated to honour the Sun God, according to the Hindu mythology.

As this festival continues for four days. One day of their festival is dedicated to their cows and cattles. They apply colours to their horns and apply some in their forehead. Moreover, garlands are put on their neck. They are treated with much respect. For them they are equal to god. Finally they are taken in processions by the owner. As a mark of respect to God, the people offer the cow the sweet rice dish prepared by them.

This day is mainly celebrated by feasting their friends and relatives. On this particular day, variety sweet dishes are prepared. The children and elders wear new dress and also exchange gifts, to encourage the social bonds of solidarity. A day of joyous moments for them.

The delicacies prepared by them are very sweet. A sweet dish by rice, milk snd jaggery is prepared. The name of it is Pongal. And it is prepared with new harvest of rice. Ghee is added to it along with cardamoms, cashews and raisins. The aroma which surrounds the place while cooking drags each and everyone to that place. They are usually cooked in mud pots outside their home. For preparing this dish they purchase new mud pots. Its a must custom. These rituals are followed for ages. After the preparation they are first offered to God in Temples as a mark of respect. Later, it will be shared by the family members, relatives and neighbours. Long ago I too have got enough chance to taste their food. Really tasty...

They harvest sugar cane during this season. The juice of it is very sweet. Sugar is made from it.

Lastly, they do some art work, called kolam with rice powder. It is done in front of their homes, temples etc. They are usually done with coloured rice powder. In other states they are known as Rangoli.

Hope you got to know a little bit culture of our Indian traditions. Hope you enjoy your day.....Happy weekend friends.

All the images including lead images are googled.