Celebrated almost at the same time when 'Lohri' and 'Makar Sankranti' are celebrated in the north, Pongal is the most popular festival of the Tamilians. A harvest festival honoring the Sun God and the Lord of Rains, Indra, Pongal also symbolizes a thanks-giving festival for the plentiful paddy crop that the farmer has harvested during the mild winter months in South India.Literally meaning 'boiling over' - signifying the advent of prosperity, Pongal is normally celebrated over a period of four days, starting on 13th January. Since the calculation to determine this day - 14th January - is based on the solar calendar, the date doesn't change. It is considered a very auspicious occasion when the Sun transits the Capricorn sign, heralding the advent of the Sun's northwards tilt or 'Uttarayana'. This occasion is rated so highly in the Indian ethos that according to the Mahabharat, having survived on the bed of arrows for about one and half months, Bhishma Pitamah - the grand sire - had not accepted to die before the Sun getting into Makar (Capricorn) sign. As may be known, he had received from his father the boon of "Icchha Mrityu (dying at will). Pongal is celebrated with unbridled in South. Though Pongal festivities normally last for four days, some households celebrate it for three days only. Also, there may be a slight difference in the rituals and rites followed by the Brahmans and the people of other Castes. Nevertheless, all farmers intermingle with the other members of the neighboring families. Each farmer contributes his share, in one way or the other, during the six months preceding the festival when the Sun remains 'Dakshinayan' (tilting towards the south). This is the time for sowing of seeds and saplings and also for cultivating short-term crops. A rich and abundant harvest of paddy and other crops dependent on a required quantity of rainfall at the right time, as the rivers in Tamil Nadu are not perennial. Hence the invocation of the Sun God and the God of Rain at the time of Pongal. India being too dependent agriculture, its all festivals have a solid agricultural reason enshrined in them.

As is customary, cleaning of every house a few days prior to the Pongal festival is an indispensable ritual. Not only every house is cleaned, it is also whitewashed and dusted. In the north, this ritual is observed at the time of Deepavali. In south, all broken and dented utensils are exchanged for the new ones. New mats are also bought, replacing the old and tattered ones. Since sleeping on mats is a normal custom in the south, this ritual has much significance. It means changing your bed Rugs are taken out and beaten with sticks to get the dust out, or they are dry cleaned or washed at home. The houses in south are generally kept spotlessly clean, with the minimum of furniture. It is customary in South to enter the house with your footwear off. Wearing new clothes on Pongal is also customary. In fact it is an Indian heritage to be attired in you~est ensemble when celebrating a festival. Attired in a new 'lehanga' and half sari (known as 'dhavini') for young girls and lungi and angavastram (cotton or silk shawl with 'Zari' border thrown over one shoulder) the men, women and children prepare themselves to celebrate the first day called Bhogi Pondigai.

The first day is dedicated to Indra who is also called 'Bhogi'. It is believed that on this day Lord Krishna had urged the people to neglect him and not worship him. Whereupon Indra showed his wrath but by lifting the Goverdhan, Lord Krishna had protected the people from Indra's rage. Later on Indra, thoroughly overwhelmed apologised profusely and sought Lord Krishna's forgiveness. Then Lord Krishna relented and allowed people to continue worshipping Indra.On this day, all members of a house assemble to celebrate the occasion. Early in the morning they rise and take oil bath first ­usually til oil is rubbed onto all parts of the body including the head which results in satisfying massage of the entire body ensuring good blood circulation. Using til-oil is recommended on this day by astrological considerations. Next, the persons takes a good bath with water and Shikakai (trods of a particular tree supposed to be very good for cleaning the head hair with; an indigenous shampoo) or any other preparation that the mother or grand mother would have made to enrich the skin and make whole body supple and smooth.

Since all Indian festivals are basically related to agriculture, on this day the farmers bring their yield to the place where it is stored before being utilized or sold. This day's function has a close similarity with the north Indian festival, Holi's eve celebration since both in villages and towns everyone collects the old items that have outlined their utility like tattered mats, rugs, files and clothes and bum them in a bonfire night in the courtyard or open space. '[he children dance round the bonfire, beating the drums especially made for this occasion called 'Bogi Kottu'. Around this time of year, trees are beginning to put out new leaves and flowers. Similarly, people want to make a new beginning. By cleaning and brightening one's surroundings, it is possible to brighten and improve one's outlook on life also.

Last day, married women along with their spouse and families are invited by their parents or brothers for a grand lunch in the afternoon. The women pray to the Almighty for the long lives and prosperity of their parents and brothers. On this day the brothers give presents or gifts to their sisters. Normally, sisters receive cash as gifts while the mother can also give in kind. This day is akin to the Bhaiyya Dooj (the second day after Diwali) festival in the northern part. In fact if one delves deeply one learns that most of the festivals celebrated o~a particular day or period in the year all over the country have a common stream of unity running underneath to symbolize the binding thread of solidarity in the cultural ethos. A geographical tract of a region of the world becomes one not by the rule of authority but by these invisible threads of cultural unity. The famous dishes prepared ceremonially during these five days include the 'Pongal Sarkkarai' (a sweet dish prepared with mixing jaggers, rice and milk), Dosai and Sambhar.