Happy New Year

Tamil New Year that is! Today is a National Holiday in the State of Tamil Nadu and there is, once again...no school. Ellie only went back yesterday after Spring Break!

The month of Chitthirai from mid-April to mid-May is the first month of the Tamil calendar. The month usually starts from 14th April, the day known as Tamil New Year. This is an auspicious occasion for Tamilians (people of Tamil origin) living all over the world. People exchange greetings by wishing “Puthandu Vazthukal” – Happy New Year, with great passion. According to Hindu Mythology, this is the day on which Lord Brahma (the creator of the universe) started the creation of the world.

People rise early in the morning and go for 'kanni' – the auspicious sight. The belief is that this brings good fortune throughout the year. The auspicious things may include gold and silver jewellery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts etc. The auspicious sight is then followed by a ritual bath and visiting temple to pray for a prosperous and happy New Year. After which, the Panchangam (almanac) is read.

The women decorate the entrances of their houses with ‘Kolam’ (design made with rice flour) and the doorway with mango leaves. Another highlight of this festival is the preparation of ‘Maanga Pachadi'. It is a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers, tasting sweet, sour and bitter one at the same time. This signifies all aspects of our life and tells us to face happiness and sorrow with equal ease.

Happy Pongal!

This week Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal and its New Year.

Pongal is a harvest festival that is celebrated in Tamil Nadu on January 14 and festivities continue for four days.

The first day is named Bhogi, at 3am tomorrow (Tuesday) morning Hindu's get up and bathe they then clean out their houses and make a bonfire of all the useless rubbish they have accumulated over the year and they pray to Indra, the Rain God. (Expect a fair old smog in the morning!) they will then draw spectacular Rangoli at the entrance to their houses.

The second and main day is known as Surya Pongal is dedicated to the Sun God. The newly harvested rice, jaggery, cashew nuts and dahl along with milk is cooked in a new clay pot until the mixture boils and spills over. The boiling over of the 'Pongal' is symbolic of plenty and signifies that the harvest will always be good. Each family member will eat a small amount of the mixture and sprinkle the rest around the house as a prayer to the Sun God to bless their house.



The third day is Mattu Pongal when cows and bulls are honoured as they are the main source of sustenance for the farmers. Milk suppliers decorate their cows with clothes and ribbons and their horns are painted, they are then taken to visit all the houses to bring all good luck.

The fourth day is Kannum Pongal when family members visit each other and enjoy days out. In some of the villages bull fights are held and money is tied to their horns as a way to tempt unarmed men to fight them.

Luke's school held a Pongal celebration today where we all watched the boiling and spilling over of the Pongal. We then ate a small amount, shame Luke fell asleep because it was delicious and I'm certain it wouldn't have been half as tasty had it been left, so I had to finish it. Rude not to!

Happy Diwali! Festival of Light

AKA Firework War Zone!!

If you thought the UK run up to November 5th was noisy...come to India to celebrate Diwali! (Click on title for full info on this noisy festival)

The firework and firecracker build up began in spits and spats about a week ago and every night since then in the vicinity of our house the volume of fireworks has increased. To begin with we oo'ed and ahh'ed just like us Brits do at anything sparkly in the sky. But as time went on we became a bit blase about them, hardly even noticing...until last night that is.

There have now been fireworks going off around us solidly for the last 36 hours, there was a short interlude between midnight and 3am but otherwise they just keep on coming...and coming. They are being let off in gardens, in the middle of roads, off roofs, out of trees, with confetti, without confetti. Colour and without. Loud, louder and loudest. I heard shattering glass earlier somewhere nearby, hope we won't discover it's one of our windows when a million mosi's seek solice from the party going on outside.

Party!

DS's playschool held a Diwali Party on Friday, Indian dress compulsory. DD's school had a day's holiday so she was able to come too. Firecrackers and sweets galore!

Lovely white trousers, before he found the sand pit that is!

As per anything to do with 'dressing up' DD has embraced Indian dress with gusto, Bindi's are especially valued, we had to visit 3 shops before the party to ensure her outfit was complete with a complementary Bindi!

ஹாப்பி தீவாளி எவேர்யோனே!
Happy Diwali Everyone!

Durga Puja Festival

Tomorrow and Thursday are a national holiday in India.
Durga Puja (pron poojah) is an important Hindu Festival celebrated all over India with different rituals and festivities especially in eastern India. It is celebrated in the month of September/October every year.

A great deal of decoration and preparation can be seen at shops and houses as you go about your daily business in Chennai. Please click on the title to find out more about the legend surrounding the festival and the rituals involved.