| South India celebrates Harvest Fesitval with great | | | | jaggery and milk, is prepared at every home. As the |
| pomp and show. All the four states of southern India | | | | pot of milk boils over, signifying prosperity, a shout of |
| celebrate this grand festival in different names. It is a | | | | "Pongalo Pongal" fills the air. |
| thanks giving celebration. It is the day of transition of | | | | In the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, this |
| Sun into Capricorn on its celestial path. | | | | important festival is called as Sankanthi. It is celebrated |
| In Tamil Nadu, it is called as Pongal, and celebrated as | | | | on the same day when Pongal is celebrated in the |
| Thanksgiving to the Sun, Nature and the Cattle for | | | | neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. The day begins with |
| helping farmers with a rich harvest and prosperity. | | | | people taking holy dips in the waters and worshipping |
| Harvest festival is celebrated as Pongal on the first | | | | the Sun.The dip is said to purify the self and bestow |
| day of the Tamil Month Thai which falls in the middle of | | | | blessings. During this festive occasion, Special puja is |
| January. Pongal is also referred as "Tamizhar Thirunal" | | | | offered as a thanksgiving to God. Sankranti is a three |
| (meaning "the festival of Tamils"). It is one of the most | | | | day festival in Andhra Pradesh namely the Bhogi |
| widely celebrated festivals in Tamil Nadu. During this | | | | Panduga, Pedda Panduga, and Kanuma Panduga. |
| time, the traditional dish of 'Pongal' i.e. boiling rice with | | | | |