Pongal: How do you celebrate?

The only thing I knew about "Pongal" before I married my Tamilian husband was that it was a delicious sticky rice dish. I was treated to some as a teenager while visiting an Aunty's home in Southern India and I must admit, I probably ate more than I should have!

Pongal is a 4 day Harvest Festival celebrated in mid January, in Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states. It's a wonderful way of marking a season of renewal with several rituals symbolic of "out with the old, in with the new." Here is a summary of each day:

Day 1: Bhogi - Get rid of useless household items

Day 2: Thai Pongal - Cook and serve sakkarai (sweet) pongal 

Day 3: Maddu Pongal - Celebrate cows 

Day 4: Kannum Pongal - Family reunions (visit and "see" your family)

Here are some resources you can share with your family, to help them learn more about Pongal: 

• 2 minute video with a basic overview of Pongal
• Short Animated Song about Pongal for kids - In Tamil with English subtitles, made by Magic Box Animation
• 6 minute animated video by Professor Brenda Beck, with a mythological story of Pongal