In
Tamil Nadu,
Makar Sankranti is celebrated as
Pongal.Pongal is the
Tamil harvest festival, observed to mark the
sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara), which is exactly what makar sankranti signifies in the broader indian context. While makar sankranti is celebrated across india under different names — like
Pongal in tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Lohri in Punjab, and Magh bihu in Assam — in tamil culture, it has a
distinct four-day celebration with rituals tied to agriculture, cattle, and the sun God.The four days of pongal are:
Bhogi Pongal – Cleansing homes and discarding old things.
Surya Pongal – Worship of the sun God and cooking the traditional pongal dish.
Mattu Pongal – Honoring cattle, which help in farming.
Kaanum Pongal – Social gatherings, family visits, and outings.So, in short,
Makar sankranti in tamil Nadu is popularly known as Pongal, a festival that blends
agricultural gratitude, family bonding, and cultural traditions.
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