Pongal 2011 – The harvest festival to be celebrated in January

Pongal 2011 – The harvest festival to be celebrated in January: "

Pongal is the very important harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, India. It is always celebrated in the very first month of the English calendar that is January. The festival marks the growth and prosperity of the farmers.

Pongal literally mean ‘to boil’. During this festival the farmers and their families thank god for all his blessings. It is basically a thanks giving festival. Pongal is celebrated consecutively for four days.

First day of the festival is called as Bhogi which is dedicated to Lord Indra. On the second day of Pongal, Sun (which also is considered as god) is worshipped. Third day is known as Mattu Pongal. On this day, the cattle are worshipped. Fourth and the last day is celebrated as Kannum Pongal with aartis (prayers) to mark the end of the festival of harvest.

Usually, Pongal falls on the same day as that of Sankranti, the kite flying festival which comes on 14th or 15th of January. Next year too, Pongal will be celebrated on either of the above mentioned dates.