Pongal (Tamil Harvest Festival)
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | Festival of India |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | January 12, 2006 |
| Denomination | Rs. 5 |
| Quantity | 600000 |
| Perforation | line 14 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 2120 Stamp Number IN 2135 Yvert et Tellier IN 1885 Stanley Gibbons IN 2305 WADP Numbering System - WNS IN001.06 |
| Themes | Agriculture | Animals (Fauna) | Cattle | Crops | Festivals | Food | Glass and Earthenware | |
Table of Contents
Stamp: Pongal Festival
Overview
- Celebration of Harvest: Pongal, one of India’s most cherished and vibrant festivals, especially for the Tamil community, is a thanksgiving festival for a prosperous harvest season. It symbolizes joy, abundance, and gratitude to nature for a bountiful crop.
- Dates and Solar Significance: Celebrated annually from January 13 to January 16, Pongal follows a solar calendar and marks an important astronomical event as the sun enters the Northern Hemisphere—a period called Uttarayan. This coincides with the transition of the sun into the Tropic of Cancer, heralding warmer days and the gradual retreat of the North East monsoons.
Days of Celebration
Bhogi (First Day):
- This day is marked by cleansing rituals where old and unwanted items are burnt in a bonfire, symbolizing a new beginning.
Pongal (Second Day):
- The main day of the festival is dedicated to the Sun God. People cook the traditional sweet rice dish, Pongal, in clay pots as a ritual for prosperity, chanting “Pongal O Pongal.” Women create beautiful Kolam (Rangoli) designs at their doorsteps as part of the celebrations.
Mattu Pongal (Third Day):
- Cattle day, where cows and bulls are adorned with colorful decorations and honored for their role in agriculture. Jallikattu, a bull-taming event, adds excitement as men display their courage and skill in catching the bulls, which are decorated and carry prizes tied to their horns.
Kaanum Pongal (Fourth Day):
- A day for family gatherings and expressing affection, especially between siblings, resembling the North Indian Raksha Bandhan tradition. Families gather to celebrate, relax, and cherish the bonds of kinship.
Cultural Significance
- Symbol of Unity and Tradition: Pongal captures the essence of Indian culture—community, respect for nature, family values, and the joy of sharing.
Stamp Release
- Commemorative Stamp by India Post: Recognizing the significance of Pongal in India’s cultural landscape, India Post issued this commemorative stamp as a tribute to the festival’s vibrant spirit and its role in uniting communities across India.