Pongal is one of the most important Hindu festivals and is widely celebrated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Pongal is a four-day festival held in the month of Thai which is the 10th month of the Tamil calendar. On this day, people get up early and worship the sun. Among other rituals, people make sure to prepare some of the traditional dishes that not only honour the occasion but also keep cultural values alive. Here are 5 traditional Pongal dishes and their significance:
Ven Pongal
This savoury dish is produced by heating rice and moong dal in water and then tempering it with ghee, cumin seeds, and pepper. People of various ages love this dish, often served with sambar and chutney. The meal is prepared in households as a traditional delicacy during Pongal and shared among family and friends as a symbol of love and unity. Furthermore, the meal is prepared as prasadam (offering) in temples and distributed to devotees as a benediction from the deity.
Sakkarai Pongal
It’s a rice, moong dal, jaggery, and milk-based dessert. Cashews, raisins, and cardamom powder is sprinkled on top as garnish. The dish is popular due to its rich, sweet flavour and creamy texture. Along with many other dishes, this dish is also part of the offering presented to god for Pongal traditions.
Vadai
The dish is noted for its crispy texture and exquisite flavour, making it an excellent choice for people searching for a nice and heavy snack. Vadai is created by soaking and grinding lentils, such as urad dal, chana dal, or moong dal, into a fine paste. The mixture is then formed into little balls, or patties, and fried in oil. This traditional snack is served to visitors and guests as well as offered to the deities as part of the festival ceremonies.
Pongal Payasam
It is a rice, jaggery and milk-based sweet custard. This traditional delicacy is famous for its rich, sweet flavour and creamy texture. The rice is cooked in milk and jaggery, and to enhance the flavour and aroma, cardamom powder is used. To give it a rich flavour, it is topped with cashews, raisins, and dry fruits. The dish is regarded as a symbol of abundance and is frequently presented to guests. Pongal Payasam is also said to bring good luck and happiness to the home when consumed during Pongal.
Kambu Koozh
This porridge is made of kambu or Pearl millet. It is high in fibre, iron, and minerals and is a nutritious and tasty dish. During the Pongal festival, this dish is frequently served as a breakfast alternative and is regarded as a nourishing meal. Kambu Koozh is seen as a symbol of fortune.
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