Pongal Festival

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Devotees,

 

January 14th is the starting day of the pongal celebration in Tamil

Nadu. please refer the below links to learn more about the festival

 

http://www.123pongal.com/pongal/legends/index.html

http://www.bawarchi.com/festivals/pongal.html

http://travel.indiamart.com/tamil-nadu/festivals/pongal.html

http://www.kohinoorbasmati.com/discindia/festival/pongal.jsp

 

 

Significance of PONGAL FESTIVAL by By Swami Shivananda

 

Makara Shankranti – The Pongal

By Swami Shivananda

The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh

 

This is the day when the sun begins its northward journey. It

usually falls in the middle of January. For the people of the

northern hemisphere, the northward path of the sun marks the period

when the sun is getting closer and closer to them, when the days are

getting longer, and it is becoming warmer and warmer.

 

To Hindus, the sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom.

Makara Shankranti signifies that we should turn away from the

darkness of delusion in which we live, and begin to joyously let the

light within us shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually

begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge, even as the sun does

from this day.

 

In fact, the sun itself stands for all the ideals of the Pongal

festival. Its message is that of light, unity, equality and true

selflessness. These are the ideals of Karma Yoga. Hence, the sun is

the greatest Karma Yogi. Does it ask any reward for all that it

gives to us? If it stops shedding its light, we are doomed to death.

If we learn this one lesson from the sun, our lives will shine with

divine lustre like that of the sun.

 

Makara Shankranti is called Pongal by the Tamilians, from whom it

ushers in the New Year. The day begins with Surya Pongal or sun

worship. The newly harvested corn is then cooked for the first time.

 

Joyous festivities mark the celebration in every home. Servants,

farmers and the poor are fed and clothed, and given presents of

money. On the next day, the cow, which is regarded as the symbol of

the Holy Mother, is worshipped. Birds and animals are also fed.

 

In this manner the devotee's heart gradually expands during the

course of the celebrations. Love extends from the household to

servants, the poor, the cow and all other living creatures.

 

During this holy festival we learn to feel our oneness with all

creation; we learn to be unselfish and to tread the path of love,

purity and forgiveness. We learn that our real wealth is the

goodwill and friendship of those around us, the land on which our

food grows, and the animals that help to make our work lighter.

 

" Share what you have with all " – this is the clarion call of the

Pongal festival.