Pongal

(पोंगल)

Literal Meaning

Boiling over

Etymology & Sanskrit Root

Tamil pongal: to boil over.

Spiritual Insight & Context

The Tamil harvest festival of the month of Thai, and the dish of rice boiled with milk until it overflows, offered to the sun.

Where Pongal Comes Up

Makar Sankranti, the Sun's Northward Journey

A solar harvest festival marking the Sun's entry into Makara and its northward turn, kept with river baths, kites and sesame-jaggery sweets.

Topics

Pancharanga Kshetrams: Five Reposing Vishnu Temples on the Kaveri

The Pancharanga Kshetrams are five sacred temples along the River Kaveri where Lord Vishnu reposes in cosmic yogic slumber upon the serpent Adisesha, said to purify karma and grant liberation.

Sacred Places