Pongal

Southern Indian harvest festival marking the change of seasons and the transition of the sun into the zodiacal sign of
Capricorn, and thus beginning its
northward course (uttarayana).
According to Indian astrology this usually
takes place on January 14th; in northern
India this day is celebrated as Makara
Sankranti. Both mark the sun’s change
in motion from the southerly direction
to the northerly, or from the direction
considered less auspicious to the one
considered more auspicious.
The festivities for Pongal last for
three days. The first day is the Pongal of
Joy (Bhogi Pongal), on which people
visit and exchange sweets and gifts. The
second day is dedicated to the Sun
(Surya Pongal). On this day married
women cook rice in milk, and when the
pot comes to a boil they shout “Pongal”
(“It has boiled”). The milk-rice is made
into sweets, which is first offered to the
514
Pole Star
Sun and to the god Ganesh, and
then given to friends. On the final day,
Pongal of Cows (Mattu Pongal),
worshipers walk in a circle around cows
while the cows are decorated, garlanded,
and worshiped.