A FOOD AND LIFESTYLE BLOG
Here’s wishing each of us a very Happy Pongal/Makara Sankranti. PONGAL , the harvest festival is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya celebrated by the Tamil people in the South of India.It is observed at the start of the month “Thai” according to the Tamil solar calendar. This festival corresponds to Makara Sankranti, the harvest festival under many regional names celebrated throughout India.
“Pongal” is a harvest festival of the Tamil speaking people of South India,equivalent to Thanksgiving here. In a civilization that is based on agriculture, the harvest plays an important part.
Chakarai (or sweet) Pongal is a festive dish of South India, specially made in the state of Tamil Nadu. Chakarai Pongal is made with rice boiled with milk and jaggery in earthenware pots during the harvest festival, Pongal. It is also prepared as “Prasadham”(offerings at the temple).