Pongal:-

Pongal is a three day solemn festival, celebrated in South India on Sankranti, which is a day when the Sun passes from one sign of the zodiac o another. Pongal or Makara Sankranti marks the start of the Sun's northern course.

It is a time of immense joy and merrymaking. the first day is Bhogi-Pongal, which is better known as the Pongal of delight and happiness. On this day people swap sweet, presents, take an active part in all kinds of enjoyment and visit all their relatives and friends.

The next day is Surya-Pongal, or the Pongal of the Sun. This day is dedicated to the Sun God whose name is Surya. People wake up in the early hours of the morning and after their daily ablutions; cleanse their home after which the married women are expected to boil rice and milk together shouting Pongal! Pongal!. The sweet accordingly readied is then offered to Surya and Ganesha.

A segment of it is also given to the cows, and then the people consume it themselves. This festival is called Pongal, which means to 'boil' as it revolves around preparing the concoction of boiled rice and milk. The Third day is Mattu Pongal or the Pongal of the cows. On this day the cattle are worshipped and people go around them in a clockwise direction repeatedly. The horns are tinted in various colures and decorated with garlands of leaves and flowers around their necks. Pongal also signifies the transformation of the season and is principally a harvest festival. Pongal is also symbolic of sharing of things with others.