January 14, 2009

JANUARY 16TH-KAANUM PONGAL




This day is very similar to RakhsaBandhan and Bhai Dhuj in that it is predominantly a festival where women offer prayers for the well being of their brothers. The women perform this ritual before bathing in the morning. All the women, young and old, of the house, assemble in the courtyard. The rice is placed in the centre of the leaf, while the women ask that the house and family of their brothers should prosper. Arati is performed for the brothers with turmeric water, limestone and rice, and this water is sprinkled on the kolam in front of the house.             

On this day, people travel to see other family members and the younger members of the family pay homage to the elders, and the elders thank them by giving token money. Another thing many do is leave food out on banana leaves for birds to take. Many South Indian people take the first bit of rice cooked in any given day and set it outside for the crows to take, so this is not necessarily a habit only for Pongal. Some also go to temple to worship and thank god for all good things that are bestowed on them. 



2 comments:

Azaad hindustani said...

Seriously.. I never knew that kaanum pongal was connected to brother-sister relationship! Thanks for the info:)

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