Harvest festival of tamil nadu

• Pongal festival is closely related to Tamil Nadu and Tamil culture and is enthusiastically celebrated by Tamil people all over the world. • Pongal is a religious, cultural, and social festival hosted as a thanks giving to the Sun god and the elements of nature for supporting agriculture. • The harvest festival of Pongal is celebrated in the month of Tamil month ‘Thai’ (January–February) and lasts for four days. The term ‘Pongal’ is considered as a symbol of prosperity in Tamil language and culture. Referring to the dish made with milk, ghee and rice, Pongal literally means ‘overflowing’, suggestive of abundance and affluence. Pongal is one of the major festivals for the people of Tamil Nadu. Pongal falls during the beginning of the month of Tamil month ‘Thai’ and hence it is also known as Thai Pongal. Pongal has its roots in the Sangam Period roughly identified from 6th century BC to 2nd century AD. Legends say that Pongal celebration is not less than 2,000 years old. The principal theme of Pongal is thanking the Sun god, the forces of nature, and the farm animals and people who support agriculture. Around the time of Pongal, the fields are ripe with plentiful crops and hence the farmers happily celebrate the event while bringing home the fruits of their hard work and the blessings of nature. Festival of harvest Pongal is a festival of harvest. Tamil homes gear up to celebrate the event on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai which coincides with Uttarayana or the no...

• ClearIAS • What we offer: • Free Resources • Premium Resources • Courses • All Courses • Prelims Programs • Mains Programs • Interview Programs • PCM • Prelims cum Mains: Target 2024 • Prelims cum Mains: Target 2025 • Prelims cum Mains: Target 2026 • Prelims cum Mains: Target 2027 • PTS • UPSC Prelims Test Series 2024 • UPSC PYQ GS • UPSC PYQ CSAT • Study Materials • ClearIAS Blog • FREE Study Materials • Guidance Articles • UPSC Books • UPSC PDFs • ClearIAS Courses • ClearIAS Mobile Apps • UPSC • UPSC • UPSC Syllabus • UPSC Exams • UPSC Results • UPSC FAQs • Toppers • Reviews • UPSC Toppers • What’s New? • Latest Updates • New Courses • Login What is a harvest festival? What are the significances of these festivals? Different types of harvest festivals in India? Read further to know more India is popularly known as the “Land of Festivals,” and it is a colourful country where people celebrate with vigour and joy. The first crop yield is a joy for the people, and they celebrate it joyfully as a festival. As a colourful nation, India’s most vibrant harvest festivals include interesting mythological legends and joyous celebrations. They are as amazing and diverse as its people and landscapes, and they allow you to experience the beauty of Indian culture. However, due to climatic differences, the dates for harvest festivals vary across the country. Table of Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What is Harvest Festival? A harvest festival in India is a traditional...

Pongal or Thai Pongal is a harvest festival that is celebrated by people from Tamil community. It is also a reminder to be grateful to the Sun, animals and mother nature. . Essentially a four-day celebration, Pongal marks the beginning of Thai Month which falls usually on 14 January or 15 January. Read on to know more about this day. Pongal 2023: Interesting Facts About The Harvest Festival 01. According to Astrology, it marks the Uttar Ayana kalam which is a six-month journey of the Sun that begins northwards to the house of Makara or Capricorn. Thai Pongal is the other type of ''thanksgiving'' to the Sun God. The mainstay of this festival is the delectable Pongal, a preparation of sweetened rice which is first offered to the Sun, 02. Pongal celebration dates back over 1000 years as confirmed by epigraphical evidence from the Chola days. 03. Commonly in the month of Thai (January-February), cash crops like rice, and sugarcane are harvested. Hence Pongal is associated with this season. 04. The term 'pongal' in Tamil means "to boil over", which implies spiiling over of our happiness and overflowing produce. Particularly rural people celebrate it with great devotion and the rich land owners gift the farm workers with Pongi Enam, which comes in the form of cash, clothes, etc. 05. This festival is known as Makara Sankranti in Andhra, Bihu in Bihar, Uttarayana in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and Maghi in Punjab and Haryana. 06. Pongal a sweetened rice boiled with lentils and jaggery ...

What could be more special and rewarding than being a part of the culture and traditions of a state through its vibrant and vivacious festivals? The beautiful state of Tamilnadunot only allures you with its remarkable temples and mesmerizing landscapes but also with its innumerable variety of festivalsthat are celebrated with sheer enthusiasm and devotion all across the state. With vibrant colours, rare rituals, and happiness all around, you will get to witness a completely different side of Tamilnadu, if you visit the state during the festival time. The Festivals of Tamilnadugive the perfect glimpse into the centuries-old traditions and vibrant culture of the state as well as the extraordinary local life of its people. Attending them can be an experience of a lifetime for sure. Recommended tour packages • 3 Nights / 4 Days – Arupadai Veedu Temple Tour Package • 3 Nights / 4 Days – Navagraha Temple Tour Package • 4 Nights / 5 Days – Pancha Bootha Sthala Tour Package • 4 Nights / 5 Days – Honeymoon Tour Package • 5 Nights / 6 Days – If you wish to witness Tamil cultureat its best, here’s a list of the Most Important Festivals of Tamilnadu that are Worth Watching and Experiencing. Puthandu – Tamil New Year’s Day The first month of the Tamil Calendar which falls in mid-April, is observed as Puthanduor Tamil New Year. Women make beautiful and colourful Kolams or Rangolis at the entrance to their homes on Puthandumorning to mark the occasion. A bath and then a visit to the Temp...

Pongal is a harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. The harvest festival of 'Pongal' was celebrated with traditional fervour across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry, with people preparing traditional sweet rice and offering prayers to the Sun God. Pongal is a traditional harvest celebration observed in South India, mainly in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Pongal, an important South Indian festival, honours Lord Surya Narayan, the planet`s ruler, and is linked with crop harvesting. In northern India, the celebration is known as Makar Sankranti. Here is everything you need to know about the four festival days known as Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kanum Pongal. Pongal 2023: Significance The Pongal celebrations are quite precious to Tamilians. This month is known as Thai month, and the people of Tamil Nadu believe that it brings positive change to their lives and helps them overcome their problems. This is the time of year when crops like sugarcane, turmeric, and rice are harvested. This month is thought to be auspicious for marriages, engagements, and all religious and spiritual activities. Pongal 2023: History According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva sent his bull Nandi to earth to exhort the mortals to take a monthly meal, an oil massage, and a bath. However, Nandi advised everyone to take an oil bath once a month in addition to eating taking a meal every day. As a result of Lord Shiva`s rage, Nandi was condemned to live f...

When it comes to taking a glimpse of the culture and traditions of South India, Tamil Nadu is one of those states in India which has been able to preserve its tradition till this date. India is the country with several cultures living together. Various colorful festivals are celebrated in different parts of Tamil Nadu throughout the year. Whenever one seeks to know about a particular state, the very essence of the culture can be found in the festivals of that state that bind everyone together. Tamil Nadu celebrates some unique festivals like balloon festival in Chennai and Pongal , which holds a very important place in the history of the state. Let us make you aware of some of the most important f estivals of Tamil Nadu. 7 Best Festivals Of Tamil Nadu These are some of the festivals of Tamil Nadu which showcases the vibrant culture of the state and reflects the year-old traditions. Keep scrolling down and read along to know more! • Pongal • Thiruvaiyaru Festival • Thaipusam • Natyanjali Dance Festival • Mahamaham • Tamil New Year’s Day • Karthigai Deepam 1. Pongal Celebrated for four simultaneous days, this festival is one of the most important festivals of Tamil Nadu. Pongal is the harvest festival in Tamil Nadu which is celebrated for 4 days. All the four days have their sort of importance as well as celebrations and rituals. The four days celebration of Pongal in Tamil Nadu starts with the day named Bhogi. Prayers to Lord Indra are made on this day. New things are bough...