Pongal Special Food: Pongal is a very special and joyous festival of South India. This festival is mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu, but today it is known and celebrated in other parts of the country also. Pongal is related to nature, farming and hard work. This festival is an opportunity to express gratitude towards the hard work of the farmer, the success of the crop and the Sun God. Every year this festival falls in the month of January, when the new crop arrives home and prosperity is seen in the fields. Pongal is not just a one day festival, rather it is celebrated for four days. During these four days, different traditions are followed and special dishes are prepared. Rice, milk, jaggery and pulses have special importance in these dishes because they are associated with the new crop. The dishes prepared on the occasion of Pongal are not just for eating, but there is emotion, faith and tradition behind them. This is the reason why the Prasad of this day is also considered special and is consumed together with the entire family.
Main dishes prepared on Pongal
The name of the most important dish on Pongal festival is Pongal. It is made in two types – sweet Pongal and salty Pongal.
sweet pongal
Sweet Pongal is the most special dish of this festival. It is made from raw rice, moong dal, milk and jaggery. Ghee, cashew nuts and raisins are added on top. This dish is offered to the Sun God and then distributed as Prasad. It is believed that sweet Pongal brings happiness and prosperity to the house.
Ven Pongal (Salty Pongal)
This is a light and tasty dish made from rice and lentils. Black pepper, cumin, ginger and ghee are used in it. It is especially made for breakfast or lunch and is liked by people of all ages.
Avial
It is a type of vegetable in which many types of seasonal vegetables are added. It is made with coconut and curd. This dish completes the meal on the occasion of Pongal.
Sambar and Rice
Sambar and rice are also prepared on the day of Pongal. It is considered a simple but nutritious food and everyone in the family eats it together.
Payasam
Payasam is a sweet dish made from milk, rice or vermicelli and sugar or jaggery. This also increases the happiness of the festival.
Importance of Pongal
Pongal is directly related to agriculture and nature. On this day people thank Sun God that their crop was good. Cows and bulls, which help in farming, are also respected. Houses are cleaned, rangoli is made and new clothes are worn. This festival teaches how important it is to respect hard work, nature and food.
Prasad given on Pongal
On the day of Pongal, mainly sweet Pongal is given as Prasad. It is cooked in an open vessel so that when it boils, it is considered a sign of happiness. Apart from this, at some places fruits, coconut and sugarcane are also included in the Prasad. This Prasad is distributed equally to everyone, which increases mutual love and unity.
There are three reasons behind cooking Meetha Pongal in an open vessel: religious, cultural and practical. This is the reason why this tradition is followed even today.
1. Symbol of prosperity and celebration
Sweet Pongal is associated with the harvest festival. It is cooked in an open vessel so that the milk and rice boil out.
The booming Pongal is considered a sign of prosperity, happiness and abundant food. That’s why people say “Pongalo Pongal!” They say.
2. Rule of offering to Sun God
Pongal is mainly dedicated to Sun God. By cooking in an open vessel, the sun’s rays fall directly on the food, making it considered pure and sacred to the gods.
3. Avoidance of vindictiveness, sattvik food
According to religious beliefs, cooking in a covered vessel traps the steam inside, whereas in an open vessel, food gets cooked with sattvik energy.
Sweet Pongal is considered a completely sattvik prasad.
4. Importance of traditional earthen or brass utensils
Pongal is often cooked in the open in earthen or brass pots. From this
-tastes better
-The natural aroma of the food remains
-Nutrition elements remain safe
5. Sense of social and collective celebration
Cooking in the open shows that Pongal is not just a meal, but a collective joy and shared celebration in which the entire family and society participates.
