Happy Uttarayana Invitation to all Indians

Maksa Well-Known Member

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#21

thanks n wish u the same..

i love uttarayana going to ahmedabad 2morrow morning

Maksa, Jan 12, 2007 IP

kangaroo Peon

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#22

Wishing you a very Happy makarsankranti to you too.and to all members of DP.
and Happy Uttarayana !!

kangaroo, Jan 12, 2007 IP

sarathy Peon

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#23

In south india, Its called as Pongal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pongal

sarathy, Jan 12, 2007 IP

Freewebspace Notable Member

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#24

And in our South(Tamil Nadu -Chennai)

We call it as Pongal (Harvest Festival)

Pongal is also known as Tamizhar Thirunal or 'The Festival of Tamils' among the Tamil people. The Tamil language saying Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum (à®¤à¯ˆ à®ªà®¿à®±à®¨à¯à®¤à®¾à®²à¯ à®µà®´à®¿ à®ªà®¿à®±à®•à¯à®•à¯à®®à¯) â€” meaning 'the birth of the month of Thai will pave the way for new opportunities' â€” is often quoted with reference to the Pongal festival.

Usually the festival falls in the middle of the month of January in the Western or Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated for four days from the last day of the Tamil month Maargazhi (December/January) to the third day of Thai (January/February). The first day, Bhogi, is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old clothes and materials by setting them on fire to mark the end of the old and the emergence of the new.

The second day, Pongal, is the main day which falls on the first day of the Tamil month Thai (January 14 or January 15 in the Gregorian calendar). Pongal day is celebrated by boiling rice with fresh milk and jaggery early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel â€” this is the tradition that gives the festival of Pongal its name. The moment the rice boils over and bubbles out of the vessel, it is offered to the chief Hindu solar deity Surya, a gesture which symbolises thanksgiving to the sun for providing prosperity. People also prepare savories and sweets, visit each others' homes, and exchange greetings.

The third day, Maattu Pongal, is for the purpose of offering thanks to cattle, as they provide milk and are used to plough lands. Jallikattu, a violent 'taming the wild bull' contest, is the main event of this day. During this final day, Kaanum Pongal â€” the word kaanum means 'to view' â€” people, especially storekeepers, visit beaches and theme parks. During the Pongal season, people also chew sugar cane and decorate the houses with kolam.
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Also we celebrate Jallikuttu with it

Jallikattu is a South Indian celebration involving bull taming, somewhat similar to the Spanish running of the bulls. It is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu on the eve of Mattu Pongal, one of the four days of Pongal festival (usually January 15 on the Western calendar). The one held in Alanganallur, near Madurai, is the most popular. This sport is also known as "Manju Virattu", meaning "chasing the bull".

In Jallikattu, an agitated bull is set to run in an open space. Several people, empty handed, try to tame it by controlling its horns. The winner gets a prize, which is generally tied to the horns of the bull. On most occasions, the bulls are intoxicated with alcohol. Only men take part in this macho game. Sometimes, more than one bull is loose at the same time. The village farmers take this game as a display of their masculine strength. Betting is also common during the game.
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And the World famous Jallikuttu is held in Madurai and the place

Alanganallur is just 9 kms from my home

here are some pictures of it

It will take place on January 17th this year

For All those animal lovers I wish to say that none of the bull gets killed or injured seriously in this Jallikattu

Only the men who confront the bull get killed or injured seriously

Freewebspace, Jan 12, 2007 IP

dhruv37 Well-Known Member

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#25

Wishing a very Happy Uttarayan / Makarsankranti / Pongal to All DP members.

dhruv37, Jan 12, 2007 IP

keatsian Peon

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#26

GREAT PICTURES!
To add to that note on Pongal, it is a festival heralding the birth of a new dawn. It is believed that Pongal (the month 'Thai') brings hope and sunshine on one's life! Thats why the Sun God is worshipped. No wonder its said somewhere by some writer that the spirit of India is showcased in her colourful and vibrant festivals.

HAPPY PONGAL AND HAPPY UTTARAYANA TO ALL!

keatsian, Jan 12, 2007 IP