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The second day of Pongal is known as 'Surya Pongal' and is
dedicated to the Sun God. It is the day on which the
celebration actually begins and is also the first day of the
Tamil month Thai. On this day the granaries are full, the
sun shines brightly, trees are in full bloom, bird-songs
resound in the air and hearts overflow with happiness that
get translated into colorful and joyous celebrations.
Puja Preparation
Women wake early on this day to create elaborate kolam on
the grounds in front of their doorway or home. Kolam is
created with colored rice flour placed on the ground
carefully by using one's hand. The women take several hours
to finish the kolum. On this day the new rice is collected
and cooked in pots until they over flow. It is this
overflowing which means Pongal. This overflowing of rice is
a joyous occasion, and the children and adults as well will
shout out 'Pongal-o Pongal!'
Puja Process
The Sun God is offered boiled milk and jaggery. A plank is
placed on the ground, a large image of the Sun God is
sketched on it and Kolam designs are drawn around it. In the
centre of the plank is drawn a large figure of the Sun God
with his effulgent rays. The "Puja" of the Sun God starts
after the auspicious moment of the birth of the new month
Thai. Prayers are rendered to the Sun God to seek his
benedictions.
The Sun God is given pride of place during Pongal. In the
villages, people gather in the courtyard and prepare the
Pongal in the open. The pot in which the Pongal is cooked,
is decorated with flowers, sugarcane pieces, turmeric plant,
etc. The first offering is made to the Sun.
Delicacies
The rice is cooked and prepared as a dish called Pongal,
which is rice with dhal and sugar. This Pongal variety is
called venpongal, ven meaning white. Another variety is also
prepared with dhal and jaggery (sweet), called
chakra1pongal, chakrai meaning sweet. To accompany the
venpongal, people eat brinjal (eggplant) sambar (stew),
vadai, idli, and spicy accompaniments.
Sweets, puddings, cooked rice or 'Sarkarai Pongal' are
prepared on this day. On all the three days of Bhogi, Pongal
and Maattu Pongal, women adorn the entrance of their houses
with colorful kolams. Large patterns, decorated with
colorful flowers and powders are drawn, crowding the entire
street. |
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