In early records, it appears as ponakam, tiruponakam, ponkal and similar terms. [6] The pot is typically decorated by tying a turmeric plant or flower garland, and near the cooking stove are placed two or more tall fresh sugarcane stalks. The festival is one big party, with music, inflatables, zip-lining, and a whole host of mud-related activities such as mud wrestling and mud fireworks. Others bathe their cattle and prostrate before them with words of thanks for the help with the harvest. [8], The dish and the process of its preparation is a part of the symbolism, both conceptually and materially. [34], Other events during Pongal include community sports and games such as cattle race, the Jallikattu. Where: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other Hindu regions. Why you should go: If you've ever wanted to watch hundreds of men run down a hill while chasing a wheel of cheese, then you're in luck — because the Cooper Hill Cheese Roll not only exists, it's quite the romp. [51], This day coincides with Makara Sankranthi,[52] and Maghi (day after Lohri). :: Midrand Hindu Dharma Sabha | Hindu Festivals - Prayer Dates - Religious Calendar - 2015 - 2016 ::", "History of the Tamil Diaspora (V. Sivasupramaniam)", "Newspaper Full Page - The Straits Times, 14 January 1937, Page 5", "Minister Kenney issues statement to mark Thai Pongal", "» Statement by Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau on Thai Pongal", "Community celebrates Thai Pongal harvest festival (From Harrow Times)", "Jewels Set in Stone: Hindu Temple Recipes in Medieval Cōḻa Epigraphy", What is Pongal? The rituals including the cooking of milk-rice-jaggery dish, social visits, and the reverence for cattle is observed in Kerala communities. [28], The festival's most significant practice is the preparation of the traditional "pongal" dish. [54], The festival is observed by the Tamil diaspora worldwide,[55][18] including those in Malaysia,[56][57] Mauritius, South Africa,[58][59] Singapore,[60] United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.[61][62][63]. Why you should go: Watch the sky light up during one of the world's largest lantern festivals. [47][48], The Pongal festival maybe viewed more as a "social festival" since the contemporary celebrations do not necessarily link it to temple rituals. Since Sukkot lasts seven days, this became the timeframe adopted for Hanukkah. It represents throwing off the gloom of winter and enjoying the liveliness of spring. Houses are cleaned, painted and decorated to give a festive look. [46], Community Pongal is an event where families gather at ceremonial worship. Since they were unable to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot at its proper time in early autumn, the victorious Maccabees decided that Sukkot should be celebrated once they rededicated the Temple, which they did on the 25th of the month of Kislev in the year 164 B.C.E. Seen here is a young mother and her child, enduring the various challenges of the festival. [6], Kanum Pongal, sometimes called the Kanu Pongal, the fourth day of the festival, marks the end of Pongal festivities for the year. [2][13], Pongal is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Tamil people in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,[citation needed] Telangana[citation needed] and Puducherry in India. [8][40], Kanu Pidi is a tradition observed on Mattu Pongal by women and young girls. Why you should go: Let's be real — who doesn't like watching people make fools of themselves? [6] Temples and cultural centers organize the ritual cooking of Pongal dish, along with fairs (Pongal mela) with handicrafts, crafts, pottery, sarees, ethnic jewelry for sale. In 2017, Delegate David Bulova introduced a joint resolution HJ573 in the Virginia House of Delegates to designate January 14 of each year as Pongal Day. Best of all, after the greasing, a great big party ensues. [42] They gather and stay in the streets, town people host and help with the supplies, they cook together and offer the Pongala dish to the Hindu temple goddess Bhagavathy (aka Parvati avatar, Durga-Kannaki). The gorgeous coastal town of Boryeong hosts an annual Mud Festival and it’s as messy as it sounds. During the day street performers delight the crowds and at night the city comes alive with comedy happenings scattered throughout the City. Why you should go: As crazy as it may seem, this festival is held every year purely for fun, meaning it isn't tied to any ancient traditions. [28] Further, the terms ponakam, ponkal and its prefixed variants have meant either the festive pongal dish by itself as prasadam, or the pongal dish as part of entire thali (now alankara naivedya). Where: Baza, Spain, in the province of Granada. The American Legion brought National Poppy Day ® to the United States by asking Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day, as National Poppy Day. Pongal is also the name of a sweetened dish of rice boiled in milk and jaggery that is ritually consumed on this day. [27] Similarly, the 9th-century Shiva bhakti text Tiruvembavai by Manikkavachakar vividly mentions the festival. Why you should go: Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Why you should go: The Harbin festival is the largest snow and ice festival in the world, and it features carvings towering over 20 feet in height and full-size buildings made from gigantic blocks of ice. It's filled with samba music, colorful costumes, and giant parades. [44] The Attukal Pongala has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest gathering of women in the world, featuring an estimated 2.5 million women. Why you should go: The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival is the largest gathering of hot air balloons in the world. On Mattu Pongal, cattle are decorated – sometimes with flower garlands or painted horns, they are offered bananas, a special meal and worshipped. Free food is distributed to everyone on the streets. [39] Relatives, friends and neighbors visit to greet, while youngsters go out to meet seniors among the relatives and neighborhoods to pay respects and seek blessings, while some elders give the visiting children some pocket change as a gift. "The Most Courteous, Considerate And Well-Behaved Group Of Kids" The latest travel tips, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and inspiration delivered to your inbox. 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