According to the Tamil Calendar, it is ‘Panguni’ month and there are ‘Pongal’ festivities all over Tamil Nadu at different temples. This is similar to the ‘Pongal’ that comes in January which is known as ‘Thai Pongal’. We do make the ‘Sakkarai Pongal’ or ‘sweet Pongal’ for the both the occasions. But the Panguni Pongal is more for the Goddess of the city while the Pongal that comes in January is dedicated to the Sun God.
My mother is from small city in South Tamil Nadu known as ‘Virudhunagar’. It is the birth place of ‘Perum Thalaivar Shri. K. Kamaraj’. Sree Parasakthi Mariamman is the important Goddess here and the Panguni Pongal is celebrated grandly here.
In my mother’s home city of Virudhunagar, ‘Panguni Pongal’ lasts for a full 21 days. Today is 21st and last day when sweet Pongal is made and offered to the Goddess. The whole city of Virudhunagar is supposed to be festive and vibrant today. Devotees are supposed to fast for a full 21 days. Many are supposed to just have fruits in the morning till 12:00 p.m. and then have a gentle diet later for the rest of the day.
Interestingly, I have never visited Virudhunagar during Panguni Pongal festival but have always listened to my mother’s stories about the Panguni Pongal festivities. I have fasted for a couple of years for the full 21 days too. Nowadays, I watch Instagram and vicariously participate in the Pongal activities.
This is the Pongal calendar for this year:
Does your town have similar Pongal or religious activities in the summer months? What are some customs? Do share them in the comments below.
This post is for alphabet ‘D’ for BlogchatterA2Z by @blogchatter
My friend, I think it is in south of Tamil Nadu. When I lived in Chennai for some time (where I dare to go back), I understood they do not have the combo of panguni + pongal, but they have aadi+koozh. It was strange to see Brinji in some temples (அடேய்களா!!). This is why people from the south felt Malaysia and Singapore were so close to their heritage, as most of the locals are descendants of people from central and south Tamil Nadu. During panguni pongal, my dad used to take care managing ‘firewood management’ at aduppu and ‘pot management’ will be my mother. My mom treats the overflowing milk of the pot as the arrival mother god to our home. Sometimes she used to shout at the pot, என்ன இவ்ளோ யோசிக்கிற. வரதுக்கு என் இவ்ளோ நேரம்?. You pushed me into nostalgic metaverse. Those days won’t come back.
Nostalgic recollections for sure…yes, Virudhunagar is in South Tamil Nadu…