Pongal is a widely known pageant in South India. It’s historically celebrated over 4 days throughout Thailand’s blessed month (January-February).
It has its roots in South India, the place for 4 days (January 14-17), farmers give due to Surya, the Solar God and giver of life, for the blessings of a wealthy harvest.
The Pongal pageant is condensed right into a single day in Singapore, but it surely is among the most memorable and colourful celebrations of the 12 months.
Whereas farm life just isn’t as frequent right here, native Tamils proceed to offer due to the Solar, the weather and life-giving deities.
1. What’s Pongal?
Pongal comes from the phrase Pongu, which suggests to bloom or boil in Tamil.
As is the custom, a brand new clay pot is stuffed with milk and freshly cooked rice. Whereas cooking, turmeric, brown sugar, raisins, cashews, ginger, and ghee are added.
When the rice begins to boil, a member of the family will say pongollo pongal, which interprets to “let this rice overflow” in Tamil. It’s a want for blessings or abundance.
2.Bhogi Pongal
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Bhogi Pongal is the primary day of the pageant. Lord Indra, the ruler of the clouds and the giver of showers, symbolizing a brand new starting, is worshipped.
Oil lamps are lit, new garments are donned and colourful patterns are created in rice flour (kolam) on the flooring of the homes.
three.Surya Pongal
Surya Pongal is the second day of Pongal. The Solar God is praised. At daybreak, households put together a pot of rice pudding as an providing to the solar god.
Pongal means ‘overflowing’, so the rice pot has to overflow to represent prosperity and abundance. It’s then served to members of the family in addition to guests to the home.
Large capabilities often happen at everybody’s home on the second day of Pongal.
Historically, individuals additionally tie a turmeric plant across the clay pot by which they boil the rice.
Varied objects are ready to supply to God, together with two sticks of sugar cane within the backside and coconut and bananas on the plate. This teaches youngsters the significance of worshiping and thanking the creator.
four. Mattu Pongal
Mattu Pongal, the third day of Pongal, is put aside to honor cows that are thought-about sacred animals within the Hindu faith.
To recollect the work they do, comparable to plowing the fields and giving milk, the cattle are brushed and their horns are painted.
Multicolored beads, rattles and flower garlands adorn these animals. Cattle are historically fed Pongal dishes earlier than being taken to the villages for a go to.
The sounds of cowbells create a festive ambiance, and younger individuals in India typically compete with one another with cattle. Varied prayers are additionally carried out over cows and bulls to avoid wasting individuals from the evil eye.
5. Kannum Pongal
Kannum Pongal is the final or fourth day of Pongal. It is about strengthening ties.
After washing the turmeric leaf, the girl will get up early within the morning to put it on the bottom. Then there are the leftovers comparable to rice and coloured rice, betel leaves, and so forth. It’s positioned on a turmeric leaf.
The lads are additionally requested to be current in the course of the ritual when the sisters place the rice within the heart of the leaf and worship them utilizing turmeric water, limestone and rice.
The ladies sprinkle water on the kolam in entrance of the home. It’s the day that temples make choices in response to particular prayers.
6. Origins of Pongal
The Pongal pageant celebrations are additionally linked to some tales. The 2 hottest Pongal legends are these of Lord Shiva and Lord Indra.
In line with legend, Shiva as soon as requested his bull, Basava, to go to earth and ask mortals to have a therapeutic massage and oil bathtub every single day, and to eat as soon as a month. Basava inadvertently said that everybody ought to eat every single day and take an oil bathtub as soon as a month.
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This angered Shiva, who cursed Basava and sentenced him to stay on Earth endlessly. He must plow the fields and assist the individuals produce extra meals. Consequently, he at present is related to cattle.
Pongal celebrations have been additionally impressed by one other legend involving Lord Indra and Lord Krishna.
It’s mentioned that when Lord Krishna was a baby, he determined to show Lord Indra a lesson after turning into the king of all deities and turning into boastful. Lord Krishna ordered all of the cowherd males to cease worshiping Lord Indra.
This angered Lord Indra, who despatched storm clouds and three days of steady rain. Lord Krishna ascended Mount Govardhan to avoid wasting all people. Later, Lord Indra realized his mistake and Krishna’s divine energy.
7. The place to rejoice Pongal in Singapore?
Kinta Path
Cultural dances and an thrilling large Pongal cooking contest will happen amidst spectacular avenue lighting that includes seasonal motifs comparable to pots, sugar cane and cattle.
Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple
Look at the 32 types of Lord Vinayagar carved on its 4 granite pillars, a aid unequaled in any Vinayagar temple, right here or in India.
campbell lane
This avenue in Little India is remodeled right into a pedestrian-only mini-village, with an array of stalls promoting distinctive festive souvenirs and each day Pongal-themed performances.
This text was first revealed on theAsianparent.