Pongal Greeting Cards 2023
Pongal is one of the most important festivals of Tamilnadu. It is a traditional festival celebrated among the farmers and marks the harvest season. But now it is celebrated by all kinds of people regardless of their profession. Pongal festival is celebrated to convey thanks to the Sun for a successful harvest. The Pongal festival is celebrated for four days. The first day, Bhogi, is celebrated on the last day of the month of Margazhi (January 14). On this day, people decorate their homes. New vessels are bought and old and unwanted items are either thrown out or burnt. The second day is called Thai Pongal, Tamil women decorate the entrance and central courtyard of their homes with beautiful kolams, Kolams which are made of rice flour. The Pongal dish is cooked exactly at the moment when the new month is born.
The third day is Mattu Pongal, celebrated to glorify cattle that help farmers. On this day, the cows are bathed and decorated with vermilion, flowers and garlands. In many villages in Tamil Nadu, a bullfight called manji-virattu is organised in the afternoon and evening. A species of bull named as the Bos indicus, or humped cattle, is bred specifically for Jallikattu. Bags of coins are tied to the sharpened horns of ferocious bulls that are let loose in an open ground. The young men compete with each other to subdue the bull and grab the bags tied to the horns. The bulls that perform well in the event are further used for breeding and also fetch higher prices in the markets. Besides, the winners of the competition are also awarded. The fourth day of pongal is called Kaanum Pongal. In a few places it is also known as Karinaal or Thiruvalluvar Day. On this day, people travel to see other family members and the younger members of the family pay respect to the elders, and the elders thank them by giving token money. Some also go to the temple to worship and thank god for all good things that are bestowed on them. Many also travel to beaches, parks, zoo etc.
With our Pongal cards you can send Pongal Wishes to your near and dear ones a Happy Pongal and keep alive the spirit of celebrations on Pongal.
Important days for Pongal Celebrations
Bhogi
On the first day is Bhogi. People discard old things and focus on buying new items for their households. People light up a bonfire at dawn and burn all these discarded items. They then clean up and paint their homes giving it a very festive look.
Thai Pongal
Pongal is celebrated on the first day of Tamil Month 'Thai'. It is celebrated by boiling rice with jaggery and milk. The people of the household wear new clothes and the atmosphere is very euphoric. Then after the milk boils over which the people consider a good sign, they make an offering to the Sun God.
Mattu Pongal
Mattu Pongal is celebrated to honor the cattle which is a very important part of the rural and farming household. The cattle are bathed and kumkum is applied to their foreheads. They are given good food to eat. On the day of Mattu Pongal there is also the Jelli Kattu festival where thousandths of people take part in a contest to showcase their bravery where they will try and tame bulls.
Kannum Pongal
On the following day friends and relatives would go and meet one another and spend some quality time with one another. It is also a day when the families of a household all get together and visit fairs, trade parks, beaches and other locales.