Before industrialisation, Indian economy was predominantly an agrarian economy. Even today, the primary sector is a major contributor of the country's growth. The profound impact of agriculture is visible in the various festivals of India.
Pongal is another harvest festival of India like Onam. Pongal is celebrated in Tamil Nadu, generally in the second week of January. In many parts of India, the day is celebrated as "Makar Sankranti".
The word "Pongal" literally means "spilling over". It is an elaborate festival celebrated over 4 days.
Rituals
The first day is known as the Bhogi Pongal. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Indra is the god of rain. Devotees worship Lord Indra on the first day of Pongal. They thank him for an abundant harvest and pray for prosperous years ahead. Everyone cleans their house and surroundings. They decorate their homes with rangolis made with rice paste. Eventually, the entire city gets beautifully decorated. You can feel the festive air even while resting in an hourly hotel in Chennai. A stroll in the streets is a mesmerising experience. You would find people making merry around a bonfire in every corner of the city.
The second day is known as the Surya Pongal. Devotees worship the Sun God for sustaining life on earth. They pray for a healthy and prosperous life. Rice is boiled with milk in earthen pots till it spills over. People gather near the beaches at sunrise to prepare the offering and worship the Lord. The place might be crowded but the zeal is infectious. You can also witness the festivities from your hourly hotel in Chennai.
The third day is famously known as Mattu Pongal. Mattu means cattle. Devotees worship intricately decorated cattle for providing dairy and helping with the agriculture. The cattle are cleaned, painted and decorated with flowers. Even from an hourly hotel room in Chennai, you can see the amusing sight of decorated cattle worshipped on the streets.
The fourth or the final day is known as Kaanum Pongal. Female devotees feed crows and pray for the welfare of their family and brother. People visit their family and friends and rejoice the start of the northward journey of the sun. People exchange hearty greetings and gifts as well. It would be a wise decision to stay in an hourly hotel in Chennai and enjoy the celebrations with people in the city all day.
Jallikattu
Jallikattu is a bull-fight game with a difference. The idea of this game is to tame the bull instead of killing it. It is played in many places but the grandest one is in Madurai. It is held on the third day of Pongal. You must visit Madurai on this day to be party to all the adrenaline rush.
Pongal
The main offering to Sun God on Surya Pongal or second day is known as Pongal. It is a sweet dish made of rice, milk, lentils, ghee and jaggery. After the rituals, the sweet delicacy is distributed among family and friends. You must never refuse when a devotee offers the prasad. People in Chennai are extremely hospitable. Though you might book only for a few hours, the staff might bring the prasad to your hotel room in Chennai. Please do accept it and enjoy the flavour.
Well, Pongal is the main festival of Tamil Nadu. Tamil people celebrate it all across the world. Now, Pongal has become so popular that the American Senate has declared January 14th as the Pongal Day.
Besides Chennai the major places grandly celebrating this festival are:
- Madurai
Madurai is the land of temples. Though the temples are over-crowded with devotees, the spiritual is sure to move you. The temples are so beautifully decorated that the cramped space does not seem claustrophobic at all. Rather, a sense of harmony and peace can be deeply felt. Though you might feel quite settled with the hourly hotels in Chennai, you must arrange a trip to Madurai. Jallikattu is a major sport on Mattu Pongal here. You should be party to the adventure.
2. Thanjavur
Women in the city compete against each other over the rice rangolis. Consequently, the entire city is beautifully decked and cleaned. The Mattu Pongal celebration at rge Brihadeeshwara Temple is a mesmerising sight. All the cows stand together in a line in front of the temple. The cattle are worshipped together. It sets an authentic positive air.
Pongal Fest
Many tours and travel agencies arrange Pongal Festivals. You can also be part of one or all the events. The various events reflect the multiple art forms of Tamil Nadu. You can enjoy the revelry in all its pomp and zeal. From Bharatnatyam dance to Carnatic songs, it is no doubt an amusing cultural function.
After celebrating Pongal in various parts of Tamil Nadu, you would awaken an inner spiritual self. You would definitely take home a piece of the Tamil culture, which is evidently priceless.
There are many nice eateries in Velachery. You can rest in an hourly hotel in Velachery, Chennai after savouring an authentic Tamil dinner or lunch. There are many couple-friendly hotels in Velachery, Chennai as well. Guindy is another hot-spot in the city. You can stay at an hourly hotel in Guindy, Chennai or at a couple-friendly hotel at Guindy, Chennai. Saidapet is a commercial hub in the city. You can stay in an hourly hotel in Saidapet, Chennai or in a couple-friendly hotel in Saidapet, Chennai. T Nagar is famous for organising elaborate festivities. You can stay in an hourly hotel in T Nagar, Chennai or a couple-friendly hotel near Accord Metropolitan, Chennai to make the most of the celebrations.
In case you are flying down to Chennai, then you must rest at an hourly hotel near the Chennai International Airport. If you have planned the trip to surprise your better half, then you can check into a couple-friendly hotel near the Chennai airport without hesitating. If you are travelling by train then you can rest at an hourly hotel near the Chennai Central railway station or in a couple-friendly hotel near the Chennai Central railway station.
If you thoroughly enjoyed the Pongal celebrations, you should celebrate Chhath Puja in Bihar.