Today is Ponggal the second biggest festival after Deepavali for the Indian Community

 

Ponggal: Here are six things you need to know

ASTRO AWANI

January 14, 2023 

Ponggal is celebrated as a sign of gratitude towards life and nature th

Ponggal is celebrated as a sign of gratitude towards life and nature that provide sustenance in daily life. - Astro AWANIat provide sustenance in daily life. - Astro AWANI

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ponggal festival or harvest festival is celebrated by the Indian community all over the country on the first day of the Thai month according to the Hindu calendar.

It is a sign of gratitude towards life and nature that provide sustenance in daily life.

Ponggal is the second biggest festival after Deepavali which is dedicated to one of the five Pancha Bhoota (physical elements) according to Hinduism.

Five Pancha Bhoota according to Sanskrit are Prithvi (earth), Apas (water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air) and Akasha (sky).

The Ponggal festival is traditionally dedicated to the Surya (sun) God, synonymous with the element of fire, as a sign of gratitude for a good harvest and to commemorate the first harvest to the Sun God.

Here are six things you need to know about Ponggal.

1. Ponggal Festival

This festival is celebrated at the beginning of the Thai month in the Tamil calendar. Usually it will fall in the middle of January. It is said to mark the beginning of 'Uttarayana', i.e. the movement of the sun to the north.

Ponggal is not only celebrated in South India, rather the festival is celebrated in other regions of India with different calls. For example in the Northern region of India, ponggal is known as Bhogali Bihu, Lohri (Punjab), Bhogi (Andra Pradesh) and Makar Sakranti (Karnataka, Bengal and Biha). Either way, it means the same thing.

Ponggal in Tamil means 'abundance'. Milk overflowing when heated in a clay pot symbolizes wealth, goodness and abundant happiness. If in India, the Ponggal festival is celebrated more festively than Deepavali.

Ponggal is celebrated for four days starting with Bhogi, each day having its own significance and practice.

The first day of celebration is Ponggal rumah, the second day is Ponggal for farm animals such as cows, which is to express gratitude to animals that help farmers in agricultural activities and share their milk with humans. On this day, cows are given a break and do not need to go to the rice fields.

The third day is called as Kaanum Ponggal or Kanni Ponggal. The third day is reserved for unmarried girls.

 

2. Bhogi

Ponggal begins with Bhogi, which is the day before the arrival of the Thai month. Bhogi carries a significant meaning, it marks an important beginning in the life of Indian society.

The whole house is cleaned and old things are thrown away or burned, to get rid of 'negative elements'. Iconically, the ceremony symbolizes discarding bad thoughts and making room for positive ones.

3. Decoration on the door

The door of the house is tied with sugar cane, mango leaves and 'thooranam' made using coconut leaves. Sugarcane symbolizes sweetness, mango leaves symbolize well-being and thooranam is considered to bring good luck and is often associated with sacred ceremonies.

 

4. Pool

Another important aspect of Ponggal is the pond, the traditional decoration is drawn using rice flour in front of the house. This painting is usually done early in the morning and only after showering.

Usually ponds are painted using rice flour, because the pond will be food for insects such as ants.

In fact, a month before the arrival of Ponggal, which is the whole month of Marghazli, Indian people will decorate their houses with pond paintings.

 

5. Cut off

Ponggal is the name of a type of food called sweet rice. Ponggal is made using rice, milk, melaka sugar, cashews, cardamom, raisins and ghee. Ponggal preparation time is between 30 and 40 minutes.

Ponggal is traditionally cooked using a clay pot, until it overflows. The act of letting this dish overflow is known as Ponggal in Tamil.

When the milk overflows, the phrase 'Ponggal O Ponggal, Ponggal O Ponggal, Ponggal O Ponggal' is said three times, to welcome a good start. The cooked rice will be worshiped to the Sun God, also shared with relatives and farm animals.

 

6. Ponggal is not a religious festival

This festival has no religious significance, rather this celebration is to express gratitude to the environment and life, just like the harvest festival.

It is also symbolic of the beginning of the Thai month, which is considered the holy month. There is an expression that is often said in relation to this month such as 'Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum' which means Thai beginning opens up new opportunities.'

In India, Ponggal is not only celebrated by the Hindu community but also by various races and ethnicities. The festival actually marks the end of the harvest season and signifies success or abundant prosperity.

Thai Pongal 2023, Know The Date & Auspicious Time of This Harvest Festival

January 6, 2023 11:02 MYT

As many people were confused with the date and time of Thai / Surya Ponggal, Malaysia Hindu Sangam has released an official statement on their Facebook page to clear the air of all the confusion.

During Thai / Surya Ponggal, it's customary to cook Ponggal (a mixture of rice and milk) during sunrise or sunset and offer the dish to Surya Bagavan (God of the Sun). According to the President of Malaysia Hindu Sangam, the auspicious time to conduct the prayer starts from 7.26am to 11.26am (Malaysian time), and those who’re planning to conduct the prayers at noon, can do so at the next auspicious time from 2.30pm to 5.00pm.

Meanwhile, there’ll be another slot at night for those who can't celebrate Ponggal in the morning and noon, which will be at 7.00pm.

In 2023, this FOUR-DAY celebration will fall on the following dates:

Boghi Ponggal: 14th January Thai Ponggal: 15th January Maatu Ponggal: 16th January Kaanum Ponggal: 17th January

May the festival of Ponggal fill your life with sweetness!