HAPPY PONGAL TO ALL OF YOU !!!!

Pongal is a four-day festival celebrated with lot of excitement in Tamil Nadu. It is observed in the Tamil month, Thai Masam.  This is not only a festive day, its also another exciting day for us because its my son's birthday too.  During this auspicious day we prepare below rice dishes and a side dish.  Click here to see more about pongal and recipes which I have posted earlier.

1. Paal Pongal(Milk pongal with salt)
2. Chakkara Pongal(Sweet Pongal)
3. Kuzhambhu or Pulusu made with all country vegetables which is the best combo with Paal Pongal.

How is Pongal celebrated in India traditionally ?   Pongal is made in clay pot, the whole area is decorated with Rangoli (kolam) etc .  More than to explain,  here is the beautiful celebration you can see virtually.   These pictures are shared by my cousin who celebrated their Pongal in their farm during their recent trip to India.  Thanks soooooo much akka.

Beautiful rustic wall decorated with Kolam 

Whole area is getting ready with lots of kolam decorations...

Pot ready for making Pongal :)

Fire lit up for making pongal

Two pots for making Sweet Pongal(chakarai pongal) and Paal Pongal(milk pongal)

Did you see the milk boils and ready for spilling ...

When the boiled  milk spills out from the pot, everyone shout  “Pongal – oh – Pongal”. And it means abundance of everything ..

Then to this milk rice and jaggery is added for making sweet pongal.  Rice and salt is added for making paal pongal.  Here is how it looks

Chakkara Pongal(Sweet Pongal) - Click here for recipe

Paal Pongal (Milk Pongal) - Click here for recipe

Pongal kulumbu/pulusu or curry made with country vegetables - click here for recipe

The next day is Maattu Pongal .. Wish you all Happy Maattu Pongal too :)