Pongal Basics
This four-day harvest festival is celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu.
What is Pongal
This decorative art is drawn outside homes using rice flour during Pongal.
What is Kolam?
This grain is the main ingredient in Pongal dishes.
What is rice?
This traditional outfit is commonly worn during Pongal celebrations.
What is a saree (or veshti)?
Pongal is celebrated over this many days.
What is four days?
This word “Pongal” literal definition in Tamil is " ".
What is "Boil over"
People shout this phrase when the Pongal dish boils over.
What is “Pongalo Pongal”?
This natural sweetener is used instead of sugar in traditional sweet Pongal.
What is jaggery?
Pongal primarily celebrates success in this occupation that sustains rural communities.
What is farming (agriculture)?
The sequence of Pongal rituals reflects this core Tamil cultural value of balance between humans and nature.
What is harmony with nature?
This Tamil month marks the Pongal celebration
What is Thai?
This day of Pongal is dedicated to thanking the Sun God.
What is Surya Pongal?
This savory Pongal dish is seasoned with pepper, cumin, and ghee.
What is Ven Pongal?
This greeting is commonly exchanged during Pongal.
What is “Happy Pongal” or “Pongal Valthukkal”?
Pongal is traditionally observed at the completion of this key stage in the agricultural cycle.
What is the harvest of crops?
This traditional sweet dish is prepared during Pongal using rice, milk, and jaggery.
What is Sakkarai Pongal?
Pongal is traditionally cooked facing this direction as part of the ritual.
What is East?
Sugarcane is shared during Pongal because it symbolizes this concept.
What is prosperity and sweetness in life?
These folk dances are often performed during Pongal festivities.
What are Kummi and Kolattam?
Pongal’s timing is based on this type of calendar rather than the lunar calendar.
What is the solar calendar?
This astronomical event coincides with Pongal, marking the Sun’s movement.
What is the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Uttarayanam)?
This symbolic act on Bhogi Pongal represents letting go of the old and welcoming the new.
What is burning old belongings in the Bhogi fire?
This agricultural milestone celebrated during Pongal marks the end of this farming phase.
What is the harvest season?
This is the final day of Pongal, focused on family visits and celebration.
What is Kaanum Pongal?
Pongal celebrates the seasonal shift that signals longer days and this environmental change.
What is the Sun’s northward movement?