Of South India.
Was on my way home yesterday when I noticed Indian shops massively laden with sugar canes, mithais, earthenware etc. everywhere, in addition to the shops packed with patrons. Text my friend asking her what it's all about. According to her, Pongal is here!
Pongal is a harvest festival - the Tamil equivalent of Thanksgiving. In an agriculture based civilization the harvest plays an important part. The farmer cultivating his land depends on cattle, timely rain and the Sun. Once a year, he expresses his gratitude to these during the harvest festival. With the end of the wet month of Margazhi (mid December to mid January) the new Tamil month of Thai heralds a series of festivals. The first day of this month is a festival day known as "Pongal Day". Pongal means the "boiling over" of milk and rice during the month of Thai.
Information taken from the Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India [SCFI] website, Pongal Festival.
Having stayed here for most of my life, I have yet to know every festival celebrated by Malaysians allover. I only got to know about Pongal 2 years ago, and that was because my colleague took the day off. Obtained most of the Indian festivals, customs etc. knowledge from her as well as my colleagues from India.
Have a wonderful Pongal everyone!
Have a wonderful Pongal everyone!
9.30am Malaysian Time
5 comments:
You are such an interesting lady.
never knew 'bout this before. no wonder i saw an indian couple bringing sugar cane. maybe i'll ask my friend more 'bout pongal.
Yup know this Pongal thing learnt it in school in social science class ..... but never took interest in other peoples festives. haha ...
It must be so beautiful and colorful. Indian culture is so decorated with all things colorful and shiny.
Yoli :: Likewise. :)
Miss Ash :: Exactly. Here we are staying in a melting pot of myriad cultures, yet we are oblivious to it. :(
Ms. Unique :: Lucky you! We're only taught of the major festivities. I suppose the interest comes in the sense that, when knowing more on others, one finds one own self.
Hajar :: Indeed. Although I'm guilty of being interested mainly on the food. :P
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hajar
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