Meena's Taste Mantra

Thai Pongal - Second Day of Harvest Festival

Thai Pongal is the first day of the Tamil Thai masam | month. This is being celebrated on 15th January 2015, Thursday.

On this day the Sun God is worshiped signifying the beginning of the Spring Season when everything is brightly lit by the gentle caress of the sun rays, birds are chirping, butterflies enjoying the freshest bloom and the granaries overflowing with the abundant harvest.

At the break of dawn, people are up and after their traditional ablutions, Kolams | Patterns are drawn outside the entrance of the home.

As an offering to the Sun God a naivedhyam called Pongal...made of milk, freshly harvested rice and jaggery is prepared. The fresh harvest of sugarcane and turmeric along with colorful flowers is also made. On this day villagers gather and cook freshly harvested rice in earthen pots that are decorated with flowers. When the rice is boiling and spilling outside this pot...everyone with joy shout "Pongal-O-Pongal"...as the overflowing symbolizes the abundance of harvest in the coming year.

Many sweets like Chikki|Til Gud|Sesame Brittles, Sweet Pongal, Nai Payasam, Medu Vadai, Venpongal are made as offering to the Sun God and then this festive spread shared with near and dear ones!

Chikki

Oats Venpongal

About C R Meena

(c) 2014 - 2016, Meena's Taste Mantra is the result of my ardent desire to share my recipes, with all who appreciate and celebrate food. These recipes are as a result of 60 years of cooking experience, influenced by tradition and exposure to various concepts, new recipes/ingredients and a passion for cooking - adapting to healthier alternatives.