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Poṅkal (Pongal)

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Hinduism and Tribal Religions

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Indian Religions ((EIR))

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Definition

Poṅkal is a festival and a food item, both of which celebrate the good feelings and fertility associated with an abundant harvest, animals, and the sun god. This is the main harvest festival celebrated in the southern Indian state Tamil Nadu.

The holiday Poṅkal takes place over 2 days, beginning on the last day of the Tamil month Mārkaḻi and marking the start of the Tamil month Tai (Thai) in mid-January. The holiday marks the rebirth of the sun at the end of the winter solstice. In addition to its role as a harvest festival, Poṅkal has recently been appointed as the Tamil New Year. Celebrations take place in the following sequence.

Families prepare for the Poṅkal festival and new year by thoroughly cleaning the home and the purchase of new things such as new kitchen utensils, sleeping mats, and clothes. On the first day of Poṅkal, known as Pōki (Bhogi), all of the old and worn mats, clothes, and other replaced items are burned in a bonfire. This activity marks an opening for...

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References

  1. Bahadur OL (2006) The book of Hindu festivals and ceremonies, 2nd revised and enlarged edn. USB Publishers’ Distributors Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi

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  4. Laine A (2009) In conversation with the kolam practice: auspiciousness and artistic experiences among women in Tamilnadu, South India. Doctoral dissertation, University of Gothenburg

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  5. http://www.pongalfestival.org

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Humanities, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    L. E. Comeau

Authors
  1. L. E. Comeau
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Correspondence to L. E. Comeau .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Anthropology, The University of North Texas Dept of Anthropology, Denton, Texas, USA

    Pankaj Jain

  2. The Graduate Theological Union , Berkeley, California, USA

    Rita Sherma

  3. Jamia Millia Islamia, Centre for the Study of Comparative Reli Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India

    Madhu Khanna

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Comeau, L.E. (2018). Poṅkal (Pongal). In: Jain, P., Sherma, R., Khanna, M. (eds) Hinduism and Tribal Religions. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_534-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_534-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Religion and PhilosophyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Humanities

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