Pongal

Today marks the end of Pongal, the four day harvest festival that is predominantly celebrated here in Tamil Nadu. While it may be hard for folks in places where is continues to be dark, rainy and freezing to imagine a harvest festival at this time of year, indeed it does happen. And here, it happens in a big way, over four days. Kaia celebrated Pongal at school and here he is in his Indian attire.

The first day, Bhogi, people celebrate by throwing away and burning old clothes to mark the end of the old and the beginning of the new. I am not sure what qualifies as ‘old’ clothes, but with many living in poverty within arms reach, I can imagine better uses for unwanted garments. I marked the occasion by re-organizing Kaia’s clothes and removing the things that he either cannot fit into anymore or that are just too dirty.

Anyway…on day two, Pongal, people celebrate by boiling rice with fresh milk and sugar cane from early in the morning, allowing it to boil over. This is an important tradition, and the boiled over rice is offered as an act of thanks to the Sun God for growing the crops. In the elaborate kolam that Joyce has made, you can see the pot and the boiling over rice. Also, it is quite a sight to see so many folks the day before Pongal walking and driving around with long cuts of sugar cane. Kaia made a Pongal pot at Kids Central to celebrate the day.

Day three, maattu pongal, is giving thanks to the cows for providing milk and plowing the land. Oddly enough, in a show of ‘respect’ there is an event called Jallikattu that resembles something of a cattle wrestling contest where brash young men try to tame agitated bulls—many of which have been intoxicated with alcohol. Not exactly a PETA approved event. In the local paper they had this photo (at left). I don’t know what effect they were trying for with the contrast, but I found the contrast to be quite humorous.

The final day, kaanum pongal, people will visit beaches and visit with friends and families. Our beach was not as crowded as I expected that it would be, but there were still quite a few people out and about. Man, there sure are a lot of celebrations and holidays in this place!

Why I Love this Time: The laughter that comes in a shower.