Pongal is a well-known ancient harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil community that takes place between January 12th and 15th. Pongal 2023 will begin on Sunday, January 15th, 2023 and will last four days. In Malaysia, Pongal is celebrated on the commencement of the auspicious month of Thai, which is the tenth month of the Tamil calendar. ‘Pongal’ is derived from the Tamil word pongu, which means ‘to boil over,’ referring to the traditional practice of boiling rice in a pot until it begins to overflow.
The most important part of the festival is cooking the pongal dish called sakkarai pongal (sweet pongal) using rice mixed with mung beans, ghee, cashew nuts, raisins, sugar, and milk.
Thai is considered auspicious because it marks the beginning of Uttarayan, the sun’s journey northward. This four-day festival honours the spirits of nature, the sun, and farm animals for their contributions to a bountiful harvest. It is also to express gratitude to farmers for providing a plentiful source of food. In a nutshell, Pongal is the Tamil community’s Thanksgiving. It is also a non-religious festival that brings all Tamils together to celebrate despite their differences.
Four-day Pongal Celebration
The first day of the Pongal festival is known as Bongi Pongal. The Tamil community celebrates Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of clouds that bring rain. It is to honour Lord Indra for the abundant harvest that brings prosperity to the land. On this day, a ritual known as Bhogi Mantalu is performed in which old belongings are cleaned and discarded to symbolise a new beginning. In preparation for the celebration, devotees would put on new clothes and decorate their homes in the festive spirit.
Surya Pongal, the main day of the Pongal festival, falls on the second day. Surya Pongal honours the Sun god, who will be offered the Pongal dish. At auspicious times, each household cooks a pot of fresh rice with milk outdoors. While the milk freely boils over the pot, family members joyfully chant ‘Pongalo Pongal,’ believing that the ‘overflowing’ represents abundance and prosperity. Traditional attire is worn, and ‘kolams,’ or colourful decorative floor patterns, are drawn at a home’s entrance.
Maatu Pongal, the third day of the Pongal festival, honours cattle (Maatu) for their work in ploughing the land. After bathing the cows, they will be decorated with multi-coloured beads, tinkling bells, and flower garlands tied around their necks.
Finally, the Kaanum Pongal is celebrated on the fourth day of the Pongal festival. Kaanum Pongal is a day during which the Tamil community focuses all attention and energy on their own family members. Families will gather for meals, and younger family members will seek blessings from their elders. On Kaanum Pongal, traditional Indian dances such as Mayilattam and Kolattam are commonly performed. A turmeric leaf is also washed and then placed on the ground.
The Pongal festival brings people closer to God while also celebrating harmonious relationships with family and friends.
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