Surya Pongal, dedicated to
Surya, the Sun God, is the second day of the four-day
Pongal festival of
Tamil Nadu. It falls on the first day of the
Tamil month,
Thai.
On this day people wake up early in the morning, bathe in sacred rivers or tanks, wear new dresses and gather to cook traditional Pongal. A plank is placed on the ground and a large figure of the Sun God is drawn in the centre of the plank. Prayers are offered to the Sun God to seek his blessings. Pongal, a sweet pudding (rice cooked in milk), is prepared from newly harvested rice and offered to the Sun God.
