Pongal is a famous harvest festival celebrated by Tamils in January. It marks the start of the Tamil month of Thai and honors Surya, the Sun God. The festival usually lasts for 3-4 days and is observed with great joy in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and by Tamils worldwide.
People cook a special dish called “Pongal” using rice, milk, and jaggery. They decorate homes with colorful kolams and celebrate by gathering with family and friends. The festival also includes rituals like Bhogi for clearing old things, Mattu Pongal for honoring cattle, and Kanum Pongal for social visits.
Pongal signifies the end of winter and the start of longer days. It brings communities together, spreading joy and gratitude for nature’s blessings. Tamils across the globe celebrate Pongal with traditional dances, songs, and special foods, making it a vibrant cultural event.
Questions and Answers
1. What is Pongal mainly known as?
a) Harvest festival ✅
b) Religious festival
c) Music festival
d) Monsoon festival
2. In which month is Pongal celebrated?
a) Chithirai
b) Thai ✅
c) Karthigai
d) Maasi
3. Which deity is Pongal dedicated to?
a) Indra
b) Vishnu
c) Surya ✅
d) Shiva
4. How many days does Pongal last?
a) 1-2 days
b) 3-4 days ✅
c) 5-6 days
d) 7 days
5. What is the main dish of Pongal made from?
a) Wheat and milk
b) Rice, milk, and jaggery ✅
c) Lentils and ghee
d) Sugar and coconut
6. What does Bhogi Pongal signify?
a) Worship of Sun
b) Honoring cattle
c) Clearing old belongings ✅
d) Community games
7. What is the special artwork made during Pongal called?
a) Rangoli
b) Kolam ✅
c) Mandala
d) Alpana
8. What does Mattu Pongal celebrate?
a) Family reunions
b) Honoring cattle ✅
c) Offering prayers
d) Dancing
9. Which Tamil month starts with Pongal?
a) Maargazhi
b) Thai ✅
c) Aadi
d) Vaikasi
10. What is the traditional bull-taming event during Pongal called?
a) Jallikattu ✅
b) Kabbadi
c) Uri Adithal
d) Vallam Kali
11. What is “Kanum Pongal” known for?
a) Worshiping Sun
b) Honoring cattle
c) Family visits ✅
d) Preparing Pongal dish
12. Where is Pongal celebrated outside India?
a) United States
b) Sri Lanka ✅
c) Nepal
d) China
13. What does the word “Pongal” mean?
a) Overflow ✅
b) Harvest
c) Festival
d) Decoration
14. What is traditionally used to make Kolam?
a) Colored chalk
b) Rice flour ✅
c) Sand
d) Paint
15. Who is Pongal’s special dish first offered to?
a) Cattle
b) Friends
c) Sun God ✅
d) Family
16. What does Surya Pongal signify?
a) Beginning of spring
b) Start of Uttarayana ✅
c) Start of Aadi month
d) Rainfall prediction
17. What kind of pot is used to cook Pongal dish?
a) Steel
b) Clay ✅
c) Aluminum
d) Copper
18. What is Jaggery made from?
a) Milk
b) Sugarcane ✅
c) Honey
d) Rice
19. What does Mattu mean in Mattu Pongal?
a) Decoration
b) Cattle ✅
c) Festival
d) Harvest
20. What is the greeting during Pongal celebrations?
a) Pongalo Pongal ✅
b) Thai Pirandhal
c) Vaazhga Tamil
d) Happy Pongal
21. What fruit is commonly seen during Pongal?
a) Banana ✅
b) Mango
c) Papaya
d) Apple
22. What color is most used for Pongal decorations?
a) Green ✅
b) Red
c) Yellow
d) Blue
23. Which region celebrates Pongal as Lal Loi?
a) Sindh ✅
b) Karnataka
c) Kerala
d) Goa
24. What is Kanum Pongal’s meaning?
a) New beginnings
b) To visit ✅
c) To gather
d) To cook
25. How do Tamils honor cattle during Mattu Pongal?
a) By worshiping them
b) By feeding them sweets ✅
c) By decorating temples
d) By lighting lamps
26. What festival follows Pongal?
a) Bihu
b) Maghi ✅
c) Holi
d) Diwali
27. Which offering represents nature’s blessing?
a) Sugarcane ✅
b) Coconut
c) Flowers
d) Water
28. What marks the end of Pongal celebrations?
a) Bhogi Pongal
b) Surya Pongal
c) Kanum Pongal ✅
d) Mattu Pongal
29. Where is Pongal dish cooked traditionally?
a) Indoors
b) In a courtyard ✅
c) In a temple
d) On a rooftop
30. How do children celebrate Bhogi Pongal?
a) By playing games
b) By burning old items ✅
c) By preparing food
d) By visiting temples
True/False
- Pongal is a Tamil festival celebrated in May. (False)
- The main dish of Pongal is made from rice and milk. (True)
- Mattu Pongal is dedicated to family reunions. (False)
- Pongal lasts for 3-4 days. (True)
- Jallikattu is a traditional Tamil bull-taming event. (True)
- Pongal is celebrated only in Tamil Nadu. (False)
- Surya Pongal is the main day of the festival. (True)
- Sugarcane is a central part of Pongal offerings. (True)
- Pongal does not involve cooking outdoors. (False)
- Kolam is a decorative art made during Pongal. (True)
Fill in the Blanks
- Pongal is a famous __________ festival. (harvest)
- The special Pongal dish is made from rice, milk, and __________. (jaggery)
- The festival honors the Sun God, __________. (Surya)
- Kolam is made using __________ flour. (rice)
- The Tamil month that begins with Pongal is __________. (Thai)
- Mattu Pongal is dedicated to __________. (cattle)
- Jallikattu is a __________ taming event. (bull)
- People shout __________ during Pongal celebrations. (Pongalo Pongal)
- Bhogi Pongal involves burning __________ items. (old)
- The word “Pongal” means __________. (overflow)
