Pongal

Pongal is a traditional Indian harvest festival primarily celebrated in Tamil Nadu, marking the end of the winter crop harvest. It usually occurs in mid-January and honors the Sun God for providing energy and life to crops. The festival involves cooking a special dish called "Pongal," made from freshly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery, which is offered to idols and then shared among families and communities. Celebrations include boiling the dish in new clay pots, traditional music, dancing, and outdoors fairs, symbolizing gratitude and prosperity for the harvest season.