The monsoons have unleashed in earnest
Heralding golden pollen for the harvest!
Behold the kaya and kandal blossom
The konrai in bloom, the deer mating awesome!
It’s January - after the Winter Solstice.
Thanksgiving time - a sense of purpose!
For the sun has charted his favorable round,
Ushering in the spirit of Pongal profound!
“Bhogi Pongal” day popular with the crowds
Honors Indira - ruler of rain and clouds!
For showering harvest and riches on the land
Earmarking a new year fresh and grand!
Colorful kolams adorning homes reign,
Celebrating harvest of rice and cane!
Bonfires, “Bhogi kottus” loud and true
Ring out the old - ring in the new!
The second day to Suryan - god of the sky
We render our prayers in this month of Thai;
With Pongapaanai designs quite artistic
And green leaves of prosperity symbolic;
Spicy ginger and turmeric auspicious
Cooking sarkkarai pongal - O’ delicious!
We pray for sweetness amidst problems rife
Like the elephant Sundareshwar brought to life;
‘Mattu Pongal’ - we remember our animal friends
For on ‘Milk and Plough’ our very life depends!
Manji Virattu revelry quite colorfully “hip”
Ganesh and Parvathi this day we worship!
This also marks the event of ‘Pongal Kanu’
When all young maidens their vows renew,
With colored balls of cooked rice
Praying sibling unity never shall lyse!
Thanking our creator we humbly revere,
During this festival simple and sincere;
Yes, common to crop, man and beast...
Joy bubbling over, problems released,
In true Pongal spirit, let us all feast!
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Pongal
