(Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh) In the South Sankranti
becomes Pongal. It is a celebration of the harvest which is observed for three
days in Tamil Nadu as well as in Andhra Pradesh. The first day is the Bhogi Pongal
which is celebrated as a family festival. Surya Pongal, the second day, is dedicated
to the Sun (surya) when pongal (rice cooked in milk and jaggery) is boiled by
women and offered to the sun. Friends greet one another by asking "Is it
boiled?" and the answer given is "It is". It is followed by great
rejoicing.
Mattu Pongal, the third day, is a day dedicated to the worship
and veneration of cattle(mattu). The pongal that has been offered to the local
deities is given to the cattle to eat. The cattle are bathed and decorated. Coloured
balls of the pongal are also made and left in the open for birds. In Madurai,
Tiruchirapalli and Tanjore, a kind of bullfight, called the "Jellikattu"
is held. Bundles containing money are tied to the horns of ferocious bulls, and
unarmed villagers try to wrest the bundles from them. With ingredients provided
by the freshly gathered harvest, community meals are held at night.
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