Pongal, a harvest festival, is celebrated
from the 13th to the 15th of January. Pongal literally means "boiling over"
and celebrates the bounteous crops in the fields. Pongal was originally a festival
for the farming community, but today it has become one of South India's most
popular festivals, and is widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and
Karnataka.
On the first day Pongal, a dish of rice and dal, is ceremoniously prepared and
served. The second day is especially for worship of Lord Surya, and for the
distribution of clothes and gifts. Worship of the cow marks the third day. Cattle
are given a ceremonious bath, decorated and fed sweetmeats.
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