Festival of Pongal

THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION FOR GOOD HARVEST India is a land of many religions and innumerable languages. It is more appropriate to describe
India is a land of many festivals that signify her rich heritage and cultural past. Pongal is one such Indian festival that is celebrated with pomp and vigour. Pongal is unique as it does not bind itself only to religious aspects like most other Indian Festivals but signifies the sacred ties the farmers have with their land and cattle.

This harvest festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of
Thai. The first day is Bhogi (cleansing) followed by Thai Pongal or Surya Pongal (sun), Mattu Pongal (bull), Kaanum Pongal (visit to relatives). The second day Thai Pongal (15^th January) has greater significance and is dedicated to the Sun God who provides light, life and rain. On this day, the harvested rice is cooked in new pots.

The celebration is more colourful in rural places as Kolams (pretty coloured patterns made with rice flour) are drawn and a new hearth is set up outside. It is a joyous occasion and the children and adults shout: “Pongal O Pongal”. The first offering is made to the sun. Thai Pongal is an occasion for family reunion and get-together. Old enemies, personal animosities and rivalries are forgotten. It is believed that when the month of Thai dawns there will be a way of love, harmony, prosperity and joy in everyone’s life.

At Holy Family Convent, Pavunjur, this harvest festival was celebrated on 15^th of January. The Community, novices, and the sisters preparing for their Final Vows gathered together in the ground. Our General Councillors, Hyacintha and Genevieve joined the group to the joy of all the members. Kolams were drawn around the place, a new pot was placed on the hearth; branches of sugar cane were also placed. Nine kinds of grain, bananas and opened coconut were spread around the hearth as symbols of plenty and fullness.

Inviting the whole universe to praise God, all sang a song of the universe, composed by the sisters themselves. Scripture reading from the letter of St. Paul (II Cor. 9:6-11) meaningfully spoke about the gifts we receive from the providence of God and of our generous offering back to Him and to others with grateful hearts. Psalms and canticles were sung and recited while the milk and rice were boiling on the hearth.

The pongal (milk-rice) swells up and is poured out as a sign of God’s gracious acceptance of our gift and His promise of fullness and plenitude to His people. The assembly sang in a lively spirit “Pongal O Pongal” with clapping of hands, clashing of cymbals and the novices performed a folk dance (Kummi) around the hearth.

Intercessory prayers were raised to God in thanksgiving, praying for the farmers, land owners, landless people, the political leaders, the poor and starving people throughout the world, the sick etc. When the pongal was ready a portion of it was taken to the Church and offered at the offertory. A special Mass for Pongal Festival is provided

After Mass the whole community of sisters and novices, helpers and the gardener sat round on the ground and enjoyed eating the pongal with bananas and sugar cane. It was a joyful experience of thanking God who feeds his people with daily bread. The next day was Mattu Pongal (cattle). In the evening the people brought their bulls and cows that are the companions of farmers in tilling the field, ploughing and spreading manure. They were all decorated with garlands, pottu, (red dots on the forehead) and coloured horns. As they arrived in the Church yard they were taken round the Church and gathered again for blessing. The cattle from the Convent too were brought for blessing. The Parish Priest and Assistant Priest came, prayed over them, and blessed them. It was a great feast for all especially for children who had climbed on the bullock cart and shouted in joy and excitement.

All of us remembered the covenant of God with gratitude and love:

“I AM YOUR GOD AND YOU ARE MY PEOPLE!”