Pongal Festival in Chennai

Primarily a rural festival, the Pongal Festival in Chennai symbolizes the end of the southeast monsoons and marks the harvesting season. The Pongal festival brings in lot of joy and happiness in the life of the village folk. Born out of an agricultural perspective and a very colorful festival, Pongal is celebrated in the auspicious Tamil month of Thai. Considered an important month according to the popular Tamil belief, the festival includes the worship of the Sun God for blessing us with life. The Pongal Festival in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, thus is a manifestation of the people's love and a way of offering their respect and gratitude to God, mother earth and their cattle to help them reap a good harvest. Chennai celebrates the Pongal festival for four continuous days.

The celebration of the Pongal Festival in Chennai has many ancient legends associated with it. Some believe that the first day of the Pongal is associated with Lord Krishna and his act of lifting up the Govardhan Mountain to shelter the villagers from torrential rains. The other opinion is related to the third day of the Pongal festival and Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Shiva had send his beloved bull Nandi on earth with a message for the people stating that they must have an oil bath everyday and eat once a month. But Nandi delivered the message in the opposite manner. The mistake on Nandi's part angered Lord Shiva and he ordered Nandi to serve mankind on earth and help them plough the land.

Features of Pongal Festival in Chennai

  -   The first day of the Pongal Festival in Chennai is known as Bhogi Pongal. On this day, homes are washed and colored and decorated with garlands. The first harvest is offered to the God after the puja is over. A special delicacy made out of dal, rice, jaggery is also prepared and offered to the God. Other offerings include payasams, fruits and sweets.

  -   Surya Pongal is the second day of celebration. On this day, the sun god is primarily worshipped. The women of the household decorate the houses with colorful kolums.

  -   The third day of the Pongal Festival is entirely dedicated to the Cattle and is called Mattu Pongal. On this day, the household cattle's receive a grand treat. They are given a bath and decorated with flower garlands around their neck, bells and colors.

  -   The last day of the Pongal Festival is the Kaanum Pongal. The last day is reserved for visiting the relatives and friends and enjoy the festival spirit. On this day a bull fight, Jallikattu is held in every village. Cart races and cock fights are also popular events on the last day of the Pongal festival in Chennai.

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