Written by Srividya Vishwanathan for itsallaboutkidsplay.com Story of Pongal/Makar Sankranti www.itsallaboutkidsplay.com Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in southern part of India. It is known as Makar Sankranti in other parts of India. India is an agricultural land. Pongal/ Makar Sankranti is a thanksgiving festival, thanking nature and deities for the bountiful produce. The 4 days of PONGAL include This festival is celebrated for 4 days in 1. Bhogi Pongal month of January. Rice, pulses, 2. Thai Pongal turmeric, and sugarcane are harvested 3. Mattu Pongal during this time. 4. Kannu Pongal Story of Pongal/Makar Sankranti www.itsallaboutkidsplay.com \ Day 1 - Bhogi Pongal This day is celebrated thank the rain god Indira. People thank him for the proper rain which resulted in abundant crops. Another ritual performed is burning of unnecessary household items in a bonfire. Household is cleaned in preparation of the main day of Pongal. Story of Pongal/Makar Sankranti www.itsallaboutkidsplay.com Praying to sun god Sweet Pongal Salted Pongal Day 2 - Thai Pongal This day is celebrated to thank the sun god. In Tamil the word “Pongal “means “Overflowing” signifying abundance and prosperity. Kolam Traditional prasad of rice cooked in milk is prepared. Sweet and Salt versions of Pongal are made. Traditionally Pongal is cooked in earthen cookware. Kolam/Rangoli are drawn in front of household. Pongal being cooked in earthen pot Story of Pongal/Makar Sankranti www.itsallaboutkidsplay.com Day 3- Mattu Pongal This 3rd Day of Pongal is dedicated to cows. Cows help a lot in farming and are treated as a holy animal. This day cows are cleaned and decorated and offered Pongal. This day celebrated the hard work that the animals does that helps in yielding the crop. Story of Pongal/Makar Sankranti www.itsallaboutkidsplay.com Day 4- Kannu Pongal This is last day of festival. The word Kannu means “to view”. This day people visit their relatives and friends. This is the day to thank relatives and friends for their support in the harvest. This day women place colored rice in the courtyard and pray to nature for well-being of their families. Story of Pongal/Makar Sankranti www.itsallaboutkidsplay.com Til Laddu Lohari Uttarayan Makar Sankranti This is also the harvest festival where the celebration varies according to the region in India. This is regarding as beginning of an auspicious phase Lots of sweets are prepared. Til/sesame seeds laddu is prepared. In Gujrat people fly kites which are called “patang” and the festival is called UTTARAYAN. In Punjab this festival is called LOHARI and In Assam it’s called “BIHU” Makar Sankranti is all about forgetting bitter and sad moments which happened in the past. It is welcoming the new phase of life which is full of purity, knowledge, and wisdom Story of Pongal/Makar Sankranti www.itsallaboutkidsplay.com Note: Thank you for stopping by my blog and downloading this printable. This document is made for personal use only. If you use this printable for your child /student do acknowledge the same in my blog. You can find toddler play ideas on my YouTube channel as well. I hope your kid can enjoy using these materials as much as we do and learn in a fun way! Cheers Sri Note: All pintables are copy right protected. Do not copy or reproduce this printable for any commercial purpose If you have any further questions drop me an email at [email protected] The pictures in this book are sourced from internet and the credit goes to original photographer/designer. Story of Pongal/Makar Sankranti www.itsallaboutkidsplay.com .