The month of Thai is an auspicious month in the Tamil calendar. Incidentally the Tamil calendar as well as the Hindu calendar are Solar- based calendar. Today marks the day when the Sun moves into the zodiac sign Capricorn on the celestial path. It also marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring,
This period is considered to be most auspicious for Hindus where it is celebrated all over India and other parts of the world where Hindus live with diverse cultural, spiritual and festive forms.
PONGGAL is celebrated predominantly by Tamilians as a harvest festival. Similarly in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttarakandh, Rajasthan, Madya Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Odisha, Sikkim and West Bengal its called MAKARA SAKRANTHI. In Gujarat is called UTTARAYAN, MAGHI in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, LOHRI is what is called in Punjab, BHOGALI BISU in Assam and KICHDI in Uttar Pradesh.
Interestingly this auspicious event is one of the very few Hindu festivals that fall exactly on the same date as the Gregorian calendar i.e. on 14th January every year owing to its solar orientation.
In Malaysia, Tamilians celebrate Ponggal with much fervour and gaiety. Based on the Hindu Panchagam (Hindu Almanac) the start of the month of Thai is determined. Most households would start cooking rice Ponggal (rice with milk, palm sugar (or jaggery), raisins, cashew nuts and ghee, in a earthen pot over a wood stove in front of the house. Of course in urban households more so in high rise dwellings, it may be not be possible to use traditional stove, as such normal cooking in the kitchen is common.
The Ponggal pot is decorated with fresh turmeric plant. Turmeric is regarded as highly auspicious and holy in India. Turmeric is associated with the sun as well as Lord Vishnu in Hinduism. Hindus also believe that Goddess Durga resides in this plant. The plant is also regarded as the manifestation of Goddess Durga. Turmeric is also used to make the form of Lord Ganesha, who is regarded as the remover of obstacles and is invoked in the beginning of all occasions. Further yellow is the colour of solar plexus chakra, where in Ayurveda (Indian Traditional Medicine) it is associated with the energy center relating to the metabolic and digestive center. Further orange is associated with the sacral chakra which is the energy point for the reproductive system. Thus the significance of turmeric.
Ponggal or the Harvest festival in a way is also considered thanksgiving to the Sun, which has provided for the living of mankind. Prayers are offered for continued blessing for a bountiful harvest in the coming year as well.
Ponggal festival is celebrated over four days, with day one being Boghi (Day of Cleansing), Veetu Ponngal or Surya Ponggal (Home Ponggal / Sun Ponggal) being day two, the third is Maattu Ponggal (Cow Ponggal) and the final day being Kaanum Ponngal (Reunion Ponggal).
Boghi is the day where everyone does spring cleaning. The highlight of the day would be to burn old or unusable household items or clothing. Purchasing of new items example vehicle, furniture or fittings, new clothes etc would be welcome. A home which is cluttered with old and unused items actually generates negative energy. Similarly a home which is unkempt also does not generate positive "chi".
Veetu Ponggal is the day when the household is decorated with sugarcane, mango leaves, and kolam . The cooking of the Ponggal as described above takes place. On a spiritual level sugarcane which is firm and straight symbolizes a stern and a balanced mind that controls the five senses (lust, anger, greed, pride and jealousy) and fosters positive thought in an individual. Mango leaves basically is believed to absorb negative energy from entering a home or places where an auspicious event is taking place. Kolam is generally drawn on the floor at the entrance of the home. Rice flour is used so as to allow it to be food for crows, squirrels, ants and other insects. As a Hindu this is part of Pancha Maha Yagna (daily duties) which is called Bhutha Yagna. This act is intended to create in man the spirit of sharing with all living beings.
On the third day the Maattu Ponggal is celebrated, where cows regarded as sacred to Hindus are honoured. This is because cows plays a significant role especially in the agricultural sector and in rural India. Cows are used as a mode of transportation, in farming, and it is also the source for milk (a staple and from which yogurt and ghee are made). Therefore it is not surprising why cows are revered in India. On this day the cows are bathed in scented water, their horns are coloured and Ponggal is cooked and served to the cows.
On the fourth day Kaanum Ponngal is celebrated. Kaanum means "to view", on this day family and friends visit each others' homes to share the joy. Also in India, this is the day employees (in particular in the agricultural sector) are given special bonuses by their bosses. This day also sees filial piety where brothers shower their married sisters with gifts. In some customs unmarried girls also seek divine blessings to be betrothed. These customs may differ from place to place.
At 6.00pm, whilst I was typing on this blog, I witnessed the milk overflowing and rice was just added to the milk and soon other ingredients would follow suit to prepare the Ponggal. This year, my daughter, Raviena had been entrusted to make the Ponggal. Ponggal is not complete without the shout of "Ponggolo Ponggal" when the boiled milk overflows from the pot. This represents the fervour and expectations of prosperity that a household would like to witness in the coming year. It is time the younger generation understand traditions & customs and its scientific & spiritual significance. Today I see many of these traditions and practices are slowly dying, not because it has become irrelevant but due to lack of understanding and knowledge.
At 6.00pm, whilst I was typing on this blog, I witnessed the milk overflowing and rice was just added to the milk and soon other ingredients would follow suit to prepare the Ponggal. This year, my daughter, Raviena had been entrusted to make the Ponggal. Ponggal is not complete without the shout of "Ponggolo Ponggal" when the boiled milk overflows from the pot. This represents the fervour and expectations of prosperity that a household would like to witness in the coming year. It is time the younger generation understand traditions & customs and its scientific & spiritual significance. Today I see many of these traditions and practices are slowly dying, not because it has become irrelevant but due to lack of understanding and knowledge.
The role played by elders is very important in imparting these gems. However ironically many of these elders themselves are equally ignorant on many aspects of these traditions and rituals. Perhaps they themselves blindly followed their forefathers and with the passage of time it merely became a ritual without a soul, and eventually became susceptible to neglect and consigned to oblivion.
But I see a lot of curiosity in the younger generation. With the right motivation and encouragement, perhaps we can can re-ignite the "pearls of the past" to create a meaningful future.
I am going to have my bath now, the Ponggal will be ready soon, we will do our prayer and than off to dig into the sumptuous "Chakkara Ponggal" (Sweet Ponggal).
HAPPY PONGGAL EVERYONE!!!
MAY WE BE GUIDED ALWAYS WITH WISDOM AND COMPASSION
OM TAT SAT
But I see a lot of curiosity in the younger generation. With the right motivation and encouragement, perhaps we can can re-ignite the "pearls of the past" to create a meaningful future.
I am going to have my bath now, the Ponggal will be ready soon, we will do our prayer and than off to dig into the sumptuous "Chakkara Ponggal" (Sweet Ponggal).
HAPPY PONGGAL EVERYONE!!!
MAY WE BE GUIDED ALWAYS WITH WISDOM AND COMPASSION
OM TAT SAT
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