Festival Description Relation to Sankranti Significance Celebration Difference from Makar Sankranti
Pongal Pongal is a multi-day harvest festival celebrated in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It marks the end of the winter solstice and the start of the sun's six-month-long journey northwards (the Uttarayanam). The festival is named after the ceremonial "Pongal", which means "to boil, overflow", and refers to the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with jaggery (raw sugar). Pongal coincides with the festival of Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated throughout India. Both festivals celebrate the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn), which signifies the arrival of longer days. Pongal signifies the importance of the sun god, agriculture, and the harvest season. It is a time to give thanks to nature and the gods, especially the sun god and the farm animals for their assistance in providing a successful harvest. Pongal is celebrated over four days. The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is dedicated to Lord Indra and involves discarding old belongings and celebrating new possessions. The second day, Surya Pongal, is when the Pongal dish is cooked and offered to the sun god. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is for honoring cattle, and the fourth day, Kaanum Pongal, is a time for family reunions and visiting relatives. While Pongal and Makar Sankranti share the same astronomical significance, Pongal is primarily a Tamil festival with a focus on the Pongal dish and agricultural practices. Makar Sankranti, on the other hand, is celebrated across India with various names and customs, such as flying kites, taking holy dips in rivers, and making donations to the poor. The rituals and traditions vary significantly from region to region.






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