Ponggal came and went. (Since Wikipedia is on a blackout mode, I would have to give the explanation to Ponggal myself.) Ponggal is a festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world as a significant of the harvesting day. On this prosperous day, the farmers would harvest the first batch of rice, cook it as sweet rice also known as Sweet Ponggal and seek the blessing of God. It is celebrated on the first day of Thai Masaam (which is a month in the Hindu calendar).
Ponggal celebration goes on for 3 days.
Day 1 – Thai Ponggal
On this day, we get a new pot which is newly decorated and placed on stove and wait for the milk inside to boil and overflow. It is considered a good omen when the milk spills out. When this occurs, everyone gathers around the pot and prays “Ponggalo Ponggal”. We say it 3 times. After that, the first harvest rice is put in it and the process of making the Sweet Ponggal takes place. The house is also decorated and at the main door, we normally tie sugar cane. Sugar cane is also an important part of the festival and the sugar cane will only be taken down after 3 days.
How the traditional Ponggal is made.
Day 2 – Maate Ponggal (Cow’s Ponggal)
Celebration for this day is very much livelier in the villages part of India. This day is to thank the cows which we consider as God and also as a source of income (in terms of milk) for some villagers. So on this day, villagers would color the horns of the cow and pray them for their good deeds. Rural villagers in India still practice the traditional game during this festival which is called the “Jalli Kattu” (something like Bull Fight in Rome). The man who succeeds in taming a bull is considered the most ‘Manly!’. Hahaha…oh well, thank God recently this event had been banned by the Government of India.
Traditional game of Taming the Bull
Day 3 – Kanni Ponggal (Ponggal for young girls)
Kanni Ponggal is where the fun begins for the youngsters in the village. It is a custom for unmarried young girls to pour Manjal Thanni (Tumeric Water) on the guy whom they desire to marry. So basically we can see boys and girls running around the village to get their loved ones. 
(do not try this for those in the city!)
3 days of festival is over and that too with a good note! Haha…. the custom mentioned above is still practiced in some parts of the world.
If I was back home, I celebrate Thai Ponggal grandly but here due to so many restrictions and also lack of modal, I can’t celebrate it like before. But nevertheless the spirit of Ponggal is never let down by Amma. She makes sure we get up in the morning for prayers and then she prepares a feast for the day.
As for the Matte Ponggal and Kanni Ponggal, only those in the village celebrates it. Mainly because in the city, you don’t have cows and also if you pour Tumeric Water on the guy you like,…he might just drag you to the police station or get even with you by splashing mud on your face. Hahaha!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Ponggal celebration with their loved ones with lots of food, sweets, laughter and not forgetting the NEW RELEASES in theater.
i want my sweet ponggal!
Come to Doha I give you!