Special Dishes for Pongal
Pongal is the Indian version of Thanksgiving. Almost 70 % of the population of India being agriculturists, Pongal(or Sankaranthi as it is more commonly known) is a three day festival celebrated to give thanks to the Lord and to Mother Nature for the successful harvest.
In Southern India, Pongal is celebrated as a three day event. The first day is Bhogi-people get rid of the old and unwanted things at home and bring in the new. A big bonfire is created and all the trash is burnt. Houses are whitewashed. It is considered a new start.
The second day is Pongal. Women wear new clothes and make pongal at sunrise invoking the blessings of the Lord for a good harvest in the following season.
The third day is Maatu Pongal/Kaanum Pongal. The bullocks which are the backbone of farming are given royal treatment and pampered on this day. They are given a good wash, their horns are painted to give a festive look in bright colors like red, blue, green or yellow and they are fed with Pongal and sweets. Kaanum Pongal is also the Tamil version of brother's day. On this day, the women folk offer different kinds of rice to birds and pray for the well-being of their brothers. This ritual is called "Kanu".
Some Sweets
Some Pongal Varieties
Some Payasam Varieties