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Why is pongal Festival celebrated ?

Pongal is a popular harvest festival celebrated primarily in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and also in other parts of South India. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and is celebrated as a gesture of gratitude for the bountiful harvest.

Pongal typically falls in mid-January, marking the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai. It is a four-day festival, with each day holding significance:

1. Bhogi Pongal: On the first day, people discard old belongings and celebrate the day by lighting bonfires and offering prayers to Lord Indra, the god of rain, for a bountiful harvest.
2. Thai Pongal: The second day, also known as Thai Pongal, is the main day of the festival. On this day, people cook Pongal, a traditional dish made from freshly harvested rice, jaggery (a type of cane sugar), milk, and other ingredients, in earthen pots. The boiling over of the pot is considered auspicious and symbolic of abundance and prosperity. People also decorate their homes with kolams (rangoli) and visit temples to offer prayers.
3. Maattu Pongal: The third day is dedicated to cattle, as they play a crucial role in agriculture. Cattle are bathed, decorated with colorful garlands, and worshipped as a gesture of gratitude for their contribution to farming.
4. Kaanum Pongal: The final day of the festival is called Kaanum Pongal, which is a day for family outings and social gatherings. People visit relatives and friends, exchange greetings and gifts, and enjoy festive meals together.

Overall, Pongal is celebrated to express gratitude to nature, the Sun God, and farm animals for a successful harvest season. It is a time for joy, abundance, and communal celebration in South India.

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