South India is humming with activities, as Pongal ,the harvesting festival is fast approaching.
Pongal falls on the first day of Thai or more so on January 14th.
The festival is a thanks giving to Nature, for her bounty.
It marks the beginning of Uttrayana, the sun’s movement northwards for a six month period.Makar Sankaranthi refers to the entry of Sun into Makara (Capricorn).
The Tamil word Pongal means boiling over, which signifies prosperity.In Andhra and Karnataka it is called as Makara Sankranthi.
Many legends relate to Pongal. The first day of Pongal is reminiscent of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhana mountain on his little finger to save the people from being washed away.The third day is celebrated, as Lord Shiva asked Nandi ito deliver the message to have oil bathevery day, and food once a month. Nandi mixed up , the whole issue,and said that take food daily, and have oil bath once a month.Shiva was displeased , and asked Nandi to stay back on earth,and help the people to grow more grains.
Alanganallur Jallikattu is associated with Pongal.It is a bull taming sport. An agiated bull is made to run in the open arena. Youngsters , to display their valour, chase it ,and control it by knocking it down with the aid of its horns.Betting, is also common during the game.It is a dangerous play and results in deaths and injuries.
Pongal is a combination of rituals, thanksgiving and sport. This festival denotes prosperity, brings cheer and spreads gratitude.
Meenas Poems 