By Siri Alay

Pongal

In an agriculture based civilization the harvest plays an important part. The farmer cultivating his land depends on cattle, timely rain and the Sun. Once a year, he expresses his gratitude to these during the harvest festival, Pongal. It is celebrated from January 14th through 17th. Pongalmeans the "boiling over" of milk and rice which is in great abundance during the harvest season.

The harvest festival of Pongal has its unique regional significance. The festival of Pongal is celebrated all over India on the same day, but has different names in each region. However, bonfires, feasts, singing, dancing and kite flying are common to most celebrations of this festival. In Assam it is called Bhogali Bihu, in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Karnataka it is known as Sankranti, and in Andhra Pradesh it is celebrated as Bhogi. Let us experience Pongal state by state.

Bihu is mainly a culture of the masses, earthy in concept and connected with agriculture that

is celebrated in Assam. The first day of the Bihu is called Garu Bihu or Cow Bihu, where the cows are

washed and worshipped. This is followed by Manuh(human) Bihu. The folk songs associated with the Bahaag Bihu are called Bihugeets or Bihu songs.

During this time the young people in the village move around in groups along with pretty girls dressed in

the beautiful traditional Assamese attire and singing Bihu songs of love and romance.

Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, celebrated around mid-January, marks the end of harvesting season .The granaries are full and people come

together to make a small hut type structures called Mejis with the hay of the harvest fields. The meji is a structure built of logs of wood placed in pairs, tier above tier till they rise to considerable heights and present the appearance of a lofty temple. The next

morning, people gather around the mejis and throw pithas (rice cakes) and betal nuts to it while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the Fire

god, Agni, and mark the end of the harvest.

PONGAL IN ASSAM

Pongal in GujaratThe International Kite Festival is held at the capital city of Ahmedabad on this day to

coincide with the festival of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. All business comes to a suddenhalt for 3 to 4 days. It is also a celebration to mark the end of winter. The excitement

heightens toward nightfall, which is the time for illuminated box kites (known as tukals), often in a series strung on one line, to be launched into the sky.

PongalPongal in Uttar Pradeshin Uttar Pradesh

Here, taking a ritual bath in the river is considered Here, taking a ritual bath in the river is considered mandatory on this day. According to a popular belief in mandatory on this day. According to a popular belief in the hills of Uttar Pradesh, a person who does not take a the hills of Uttar Pradesh, a person who does not take a bath on this auspicious day will be born as a donkey in bath on this auspicious day will be born as a donkey in his next birth. Apart from this ritual bathing, donating his next birth. Apart from this ritual bathing, donating khichrikhichri (a cooked mixture of rice and lentils) is also one (a cooked mixture of rice and lentils) is also one of the important aspects.of the important aspects.A big A big melamela or fair is also organized at the or fair is also organized at the TriveniTriveniSangamSangam in Allahabad.in Allahabad.

Pongal in Andhra PradeshIn this state, Bhogi is the day preceding Sankranti and Kanumu is the day after. On Bhogi day, in the early

morning, a bonfire is lit up before the traditional special bath. Pongali (rice pudding with milk) is an important item during this festival. Special dishes, like ariselu (sweet rice cakes), are prepared. On

Kanumu day animals are decorated and races are held; sometimes cockfights, bullfights and ram fights are included.

In Karnataka, the festival is called Sankranti. Cows and bullocks are beautifully decorated and fed 'Pongal'- a sweet preparation of rice. Special prayers are offered in the temples and houses. In the evening, the cattle are led out in procession to the beat of drums and music. In the night a bonfire is lit and the animals are made to jump over the fire.

After the pujas, white sesame (ellu) mixed with pieces of jaggery, peanuts, dry coconut and sugar blocks (shakkare achchu) are exchanged wishing that this sweetness stays in your life. At the Shiva temple in Bangalore's Gavipuram, a rare phenomenon is witnessed in the evening. The Sun's rays pass through the horns of the Nandi briefly to fall on the Lingam in the sanctum. It is really a lovely architectural marvel.

Here, the festival marks the withdrawal of the southeast monsoons as well as the reaping of the harvest. The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is a day for the family. Surya Pongal, the second day, is dedicated to the worship of Surya, the Sun God. The third day, Mattupongal is for worship of the cattle. In Chennai (Madras), a rath yatra procession is taken out from the Kandaswamy Temple. In Madurai, Tanjore and Tiruchirrapalli, where Pongalis known as Jellikattu, bundles of money are tied to the horns of bulls and villagers try and wrestle the bundles from them. Community meals are made from the freshly gathered harvest and enjoyed by the entire village.

Pongalin Tamil Nadu

PongalPongal in in KeralaKerala

On this day, at the hill shrine of On this day, at the hill shrine of SabarimalaSabarimala, many , many people witness an extraordinary astronomical people witness an extraordinary astronomical phenomenon. A starphenomenon. A star--like celestial light of incredible like celestial light of incredible splendor appears on the horizon. Known as splendor appears on the horizon. Known as MakaraMakaraJyothiJyothi, this occurs at the time of the evening of , this occurs at the time of the evening of DeeparadhanaDeeparadhana. Pilgrims consider it a great moment of . Pilgrims consider it a great moment of fulfillment. Lord fulfillment. Lord AyyappaAyyappa is adorned with special jewels is adorned with special jewels known as known as ThiruvaabharanamThiruvaabharanam. Legend has it that these . Legend has it that these jewels were donated to the Lord by jewels were donated to the Lord by PandalamPandalam Maharaja, Maharaja, considered the foster father of the Lord.considered the foster father of the Lord.

Happy Pongal