THE harvest festival of Pongal was celebrated here in UTC Library Lawn, Bengaluru on 17th January 2024. Pongal is a festival of prosperity – celebrating the new harvest every year by the Tamil Community in India.
Here in the
southern part of India, Pongal is a farmer’s festival celebrating the diverse
produce of nature as a gift of hard work by humans with the help of animals
along with them. Cows plays a major role in the traditional farming, so they
are revered during this festival.
Various produces like
freshly harvested paddy, sugarcane, turmeric, milk, and various other crops are
offered as a respect and gratitude to mother Earth. People celebrate prosperity
and nature’s gifts.
During this season
the animals which helped the farmers will be worshiped and honoured.
As a symbol of
respect animals will be decorated colourfully and people also visit their
relatives and friends after months of hard work. Eventually this comes as the
first festival celebrated in the English New Year in the Southern part of
India.
Celebrated over
four days, Pongal also marks the beginning of the Tamil month called Thai, which is considered an auspicious
month. It usually falls on the 14th or 15th of January each year.
Day 1 | Bhogi Pongal: Pongal is also
the name of the dish made and eaten during this festival. It is a mixture of
boiled sweet rice. It is derived from the Tamil word ‘Pongu’, which means “to boil over”.
Day 2 | Surya Pongal: The second day is
the main day of Pongal and is celebrated as Surya Pongal. On this day, the Sun
God is honoured. Colourful decorative floor patterns called kolam
are drawn at the entrance of one’s home, and each household cooks a pot
of fresh rice with milk at auspicious timings.
As the milk boils
freely over the pot, family members shout out happily “Pongalo Pongal”! After
the Pongal is offered to the Sun God, they would feast on several Pongal dishes
that are prepared especially for the day.
Day 3 | Maatu Pongal: The third day of
Pongal is called Maatu Pongal. This day
is devoted to honour and worship the cattle (Maatu) to remember the
work they do – ploughing the land. Cows are bathed and adorned with
multi-coloured beads, flowers garlands, and bells. In Singapore, thanksgiving
prayers would be conducted for the cattle at some dairy farms owned by Indians.
Day 4 | Kaanum Pongal: The fourth day of
Pongal is called Kaanum Pongal. On this day, importance is given to the
community and to strengthen ties. Families gather together to have a sumptuous
meal. Younger members seek the blessings of the older members of their
families. It is also a day for traditional Indian folk dances such as
mayilattam and kolattam.
Here in UTC, the Pongal
Worship 2024 began with Bharathnatiyam dance, which was
performed during the Lamp Lighting ceremony.
Then it proceeds on according to the Worship Order – Welcome Note, Call to Worship, Opening Prayer, Opening
Song (Thamil vazhattum senthamil
vazhattum/ Thamil vazhvangi vazhvathupol manitham vazhattum = Long live Tamil, long live Humanity and long
live All the languages), Confession, Absolution, Thanksgiving (Oyill
Attam is performed as an act of thanksgiving for God’s abundant
rejuvenation), Scripture Reading, Reflection, Affirmation of Faith,
Intercession, Closing Prayer, and Benediction.
It ended solemnly
with “Tamil Thai Valthu”, the state anthem of Tamil Nadu. The celebration
was held under the aegis of UTC Tamil Fellowship.
Here’s the
glimpses of Pongal Celebration through the lens of Mr Akhil Charles, BD-IV.
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| Pic: PONGU |
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| Pongalo Pongal! |
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| Pongalo Pongal ! |
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| Pongalo Pongal ! |
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| Pic: Kabaddi runners up: BD I |
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| Pic: Kabaddi champion: BD IV |
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| Bullock Cart Ride |
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