• Talk To Astrologers
  • Brihat Horoscope
  • Ask A Question
  • Child Report 2022
  • Raj Yoga Report
  • Career Counseling
Personalized
Horoscope

Pongal 2016 Date

Author: - | Last Updated: Thu 3 Jan 2013 1:28:59 PM

Pongal, Pongal 2016, Pongal 2016 Date

Pongal, the four day long harvest festival is celebrated with great zeal by Tamilians. Signifying prosperity & new beginnings, Pongal gives the opportunity to thank the Almighty for bestowing with healthy crops. Read on & know about Pongal in 2016.

Pongal 2016 date is 15 January. Of all festivals, the most famous is that which is called Pongal (boiling), celebrated at the end of the winter solstice. It lasts for three days; during which, Hindus employ themselves in mutual visits and compliments, something in the same manner as Europeans do on the first day of the year.

The feast of the Pongal is a season of rejoicing for two special reasons. The first is that the month of Magha or December, every day in which is unlucky, is about to expire; and the other, that it is to be succeeded by a month, each day of which is fortunate.

The Journey of Celebrations

The first day of this festival is called Bhogi Pongal or the Pongal of rejoicing or the Pongal in honor of Indra, the Lord of the season. It is kept by inviting the relatives for an entertainment, which passes off with hilarity and mirth.

The second day is called Surya Pongal or Pongal of the Sun and is set apart to the honor of that luminary. Married women after purifying themselves by bathing, set boiling rice in the open air, and not under any cover. They use milk in the operation, and when it begins to simmer, they make a loud cry, all at once repeating the words “Pongal, 0 Pongal.” The vessel is then lifted off the fire and set before the idol of Vighnaswara, (Ganesha), which is placed close by. Part of the mass of rice is offered to the deity; then offered to the cow. The rest of the of the rice is then distributed among the people as Prasad.

This is the great day of visiting among the Hindus. The salutation begins by the question, 'has the milk boiled?’ to which the answer is ‘It has boiled.' From this the festival takes its name of Pongal; which is derived from the verb Ponghedi in Telugu, and Pongu in Tamil, both of which signify to boil.

The third day, not less solemn than the preceding, is consecrated with ceremonies is called the Pongal of Cows.

In a great vessel filled with water, they put some saffron, the seeds of the cotton tree and leaves of the margosa. After being well mixed, they go round all the cows and oxen belonging to the house, several times sprinkling them with the water as they turn to the four cardinal points. The Sashtangam, or prostration of the eight members is made before them four times. Men perform this ceremony, the women staying away.

Pongal of Cows

The cows are dressed and bejewelled, their horns being painted with colours, and garlands of flowers and foliage being put round their necks and over their backs. They likewise add strings of cocoa-nuts and other fruits, which are soon stricken off by the brisk motion of the animal which these trappings occasion, and are picked up by children and others, who follow the cattle on purpose, and greedily eat what they gather as something sacred. They are then driven, in herd, through the villages and made to scamper about from side to side by the jarring noise of many sounding instruments. The remainder of the day, they are allowed to feed at large without a keeper; and whatever trespasses they commit are suffered to pass without notice or restraint.

AstroCAMP wishes you all Happy Pongal 2016!

More from the section: Dharm 1366
Buy Today
Gemstones
Get gemstones Best quality gemstones with assurance of AstroCAMP.com More
Yantras
Get yantras Take advantage of Yantra with assurance of AstroCAMP.com More
Navagrah Yantras
Get Navagrah Yantras Yantra to pacify planets and have a happy life .. get from AstroCAMP.com More
Rudraksha
Get rudraksha Best quality Rudraksh with assurance of AstroCAMP.com More
Today's Horoscope

Get your personalised horoscope based on your sign.

Select your Sign
Free Personalized Horoscope 2023
© Copyright 2024 AstroCAMP.com All Rights Reserved