Pongal is an ancient festival of people in South India particularly Tamils. According to Hindu mythology,
this is when the day of the gods begins, after a six-month long night. The
festival is spread over three days and is the most important and most
fervently-celebrated harvest festival of South India. A special puja is performed
on the first day of Pongal before the cutting of the paddy. Farmers worship the
sun and the earth by anointing their ploughs and sickles with sandal wood
paste. It is with these consecrated tools that the newly-harvested rice is cut.Each
of the three days are marked by different festivities. The first day, Bhogi
Pongal, is a day for the family. Surya Pongal, the second day, is dedicated to
the worship of Surya, the Sun God. Boiled milk and jaggery is offered to the
Sun God. The third day of Pongal, Mattu Pongal, is for worship of the cattle
known as Mattu. Cattle are bathed, their horns polished and painted in bright
colors, and garlands of flowers placed around their necks. The Pongal that has
been offered to the Gods is then given to cattle and birds to eat. There is a
strong tradition in South India to greet Pongal with an exchange of gifts. The
tradition helps to develop stronger relationships with loved ones and to add
more joy to Pongal celebrations. However, dilemma that most people face is to
select that perfect Pongal gift. To ease that problem a little here are some
awesome Pongal Gift Ideas.
