Makara Sankranthi / Pongal is a four day long festival celebrated in the month of January. This is a popular harvest festival in Southern India and an occasion to thank mother nature. During this season Rice, Sugarcane turmeric are harvested. All these are very important in South Indian Cooking.
Makara Sankranti falls typically falls on 14th or 15th of January (In 2015 it falls on 15th January). Many wedding and other important happen this month as this is the month when riches are gained through harvest in largely agriculture based communities.
This festival reminds me Rangolis, Bhogi mantalu (bonfire) on Bhogi, Paravannam (Pongal) on Sankranti, cow parade on Kanuma. New dresses, Hari dasas, Basava (nandi / bull) dance, kites and somany other things and ofcourse gods. I miss all this now.
Pongal is also celebrated in other states as Bihu, Thai Pongal and Uttarayan and also in other countries Srilanka, Combodia, Nepal and Thailand.
First day is Bhogi is celebrated in honour of Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of clouds that give rains. The ritual observed this day is Bhogi mantalu (bonfire) , we throw our old useless household wooden articles and cow dung. Because its winter season in India in January this bonfire also keeps us warm. Ladies also put colourful Rangolis (Muggulu) and they decorate it with flowers and cow dung.
Second day is Makara Sankranti. Sun comes into Makara Raasi (Capricorn ) on this day. Fresehly harvested rice is boiled in milk in earthenware is offered to Sun god. People wear new traditional dresses.
Third day is Kanuma, festival of cows. Cows are decorated with multi coloured beads and floew garlands and are then worshiped. They are then taken to village center. I have memories of seeing this at my grandmom's place.
Fourth day is mukkanuma. I don't remember doing any ritual on this day other than going back to our home from grand parents house. This is celebrated by non-vegetarians.
Now see the Pongal festival recipes.
Makara Sankranti falls typically falls on 14th or 15th of January (In 2015 it falls on 15th January). Many wedding and other important happen this month as this is the month when riches are gained through harvest in largely agriculture based communities.
This festival reminds me Rangolis, Bhogi mantalu (bonfire) on Bhogi, Paravannam (Pongal) on Sankranti, cow parade on Kanuma. New dresses, Hari dasas, Basava (nandi / bull) dance, kites and somany other things and ofcourse gods. I miss all this now.
Pongal is also celebrated in other states as Bihu, Thai Pongal and Uttarayan and also in other countries Srilanka, Combodia, Nepal and Thailand.
First day is Bhogi is celebrated in honour of Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of clouds that give rains. The ritual observed this day is Bhogi mantalu (bonfire) , we throw our old useless household wooden articles and cow dung. Because its winter season in India in January this bonfire also keeps us warm. Ladies also put colourful Rangolis (Muggulu) and they decorate it with flowers and cow dung.
Second day is Makara Sankranti. Sun comes into Makara Raasi (Capricorn ) on this day. Fresehly harvested rice is boiled in milk in earthenware is offered to Sun god. People wear new traditional dresses.
Third day is Kanuma, festival of cows. Cows are decorated with multi coloured beads and floew garlands and are then worshiped. They are then taken to village center. I have memories of seeing this at my grandmom's place.
Fourth day is mukkanuma. I don't remember doing any ritual on this day other than going back to our home from grand parents house. This is celebrated by non-vegetarians.
Now see the Pongal festival recipes.
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