Heralding The Harvest Season
All around the world, cultures celebrate the harvest season with pomp and splendour. Every country has its own unique way of giving thanks for the new crop, for bring grateful for every plateful. From Thanksgiving in North America to Vaisakhi in Punjab, communities usher in the harvest seasons throughout the globe with traditional customs. And some modern ones too.
Tamil Nadu leaves no stone unturned when it comes to celebrating its very own Pongal. The entire state transforms into a jubilant carnival! Spread across four days, the festival includes Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal in that order.
The first day is the day of cleansing and spring-cleaning of sorts, where old items are tossed into a bonfire traditionally made of cow dung cakes. In the recent years however, this has sadly become a source of air pollution, with people burning tyres, plastic and other toxic substances. If you’re celebrating this day, remember to keep it as eco-friendly as possible, just like it was intended!
Thai Pongal is the day of cooking and eating! Earthen pots are painted in glorious colours, and Pongal (milk and rice with nuts and spices) is cooked outdoors while everyone heralds the season with chants of “Pongal O Pongal!” Everyone tucks into rich ghee ven Pongal, sweet chakkara Pongal, sugarcanes, bananas and more. Such a celebration for your tummy!
Being in the food industry, festivals and traditions fascinate us. We constantly draw inspiration from native roots. And in that spirit, our Regency by GRT Hotels properties in Kanchipuram, Madurai and Tiruttani, Bazaar at Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels, as well as Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay Mamallapuram will be laying out a Pongal feast. Come celebrate with us with your friends and family!
The most talked about element of Pongal this year has been the sport of Jallikattu played on the day of Mattu Pongal. A tradition that’s been the hallmark of the festival for centuries, this sport has become somewhat of a controversy in the recent past. While supporters of Jallikattu argue that it is a tradition that must be kept alive, and that the bulls are specifically reared for the sport and not killed, protestors believe it advocates animal cruelty and must be curbed.
Both sides have been debated many times over the last decade, with the Supreme Court now banning it altogether. Tamil Nadu’s celebrities and authorities have voiced their opinions – both for and against, as have the largest media houses across the world. Read an interesting take on the BBC here. Tell us what you think of the custom!
But also remember to drop by our hotels for the lavish Pongal feast!
