Since I visited Tamil Nadu in the month of November, I couldn't participate in one of the most renowned festival of Tamil Nadu - Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu.

" You will miss Pongal. People from all over the world come to Tamil Nadu during this period just to observe the splendor of the festival." said Murlidharan, my guide.

"Pongal! what so special about it and when it is held" I asked Murlidharan. Pongal is the first festival beginning off each new year in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As the dates for this festival are calculated by the western calender, the dates of January 13-16 never change. Each day of this festival has a special significance, however, it is celebrated more grandly in the villages, while the city folk mainly celebrate on the second day only.

The very description given by Murli was enough for me to know more about the festival. Actually I wanted to stay till January but since I had some important work in January, I couldn't actually extend my tenure.

" Sir, it is held for four days and the first day is celebrated by the name of Bhogi. On this day, people collect all the unwanted things at home and burn them" informed Murlidharan

He also acquainted me that the second day is called Surya Pongal and is the day when actual celebration of Pongal starts. The third day is Mattu Pongal and is devoted to paying homage to cattle. It was interesting for me to know that on this day, the horns of cattle are coloured with turmeric and kumkum, and is decorated with small bells and flowers. Then these beautified cattle are made to parade on street. The last day is called the Kaanum Pongal. On this day people visit their family members and exchange gifts.

" Wow! I just hope that next time I visit Tamil Nadu during the month of January so that I can also rejoice the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu" I said.