Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu and is dedicated to the Sun God. The festival occurs in the third week of January and is one of the most popular festivals of Tamil people. The festival corresponds to other harvest festivals celebrated throughout the country such as Uttarayana in Gujarat and Rajasthan, Makar Sankranti in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and Magh Bihu in Assam. The day preceding the day of Pongal, the main event, is called Bhogi. The main event of the festival takes place on the second day. In the Tamil language, the word ‘Pongal’ means ‘overflowing’, here signifying abundance and prosperity. The third day is called ‘Maatu Pongal’. While the fourth and last day of the festival is called ‘Kaanum Pongal’. The word ‘Kaanum’ means ‘to visit’. People visit their family and friends on ‘Kaanum Pongal’. In 2019, Thai Pongal begins on January 15 and ends on January 18.
As we celebrate Pongal, here are some SMSes, WhatsApp messages, pictures and Facebook status to share with your family and friends.
