Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Pongal in South India





We arrived safely in India to celebrate Pongal a Hindu festival very popular in South India celebrating harvest. I thought I would share a few pictures to show how folks celebrate it in Chennai. Like all Indian festivals folks buy new clothes for it I went with my sweet in laws and our daughter to get clothes for the kids. The shops were mobbed I think It was a little overwhelming for our little one. It is moments like this that make the long tiring journeys worth it to see the joy on my in laws faces as they shopped and got clothes and prepared for pongal priceless.







The busy streets of Chennai



Turmeric roots


This lady was selling flowers on the side of the road common in India lots of ladies wear them in their hair. I always do when I visit ;-) she was also selling colored powder for folks to make colored designs outside their homes for pongal.




My Aunt making a design




This one was done by my sis in law, folks did them in the evening before









In the morning a small fire was made on the roof to cook the pongal, pongal is a rice dish cooked in a special pot one is sweet and one savory.





After it was cooked and prayers made we all sat on the floor and ate on a banana leaf ;-)




I don't eat much ;-) but was tasty from left - vada a fried spicy doughnut, sambar, poriyal , rice and sweet pongal





Sugar cane is brought to decorate homes and you can see them on the streets for sale ;-)




Street cow roaming around



Small roadside shrine




Cousins playing :-)





Happy pongal everyone

Love from Rebecca in India



Posted using BlogPress from my
iPhone

34 comments:

  1. I can tell that you are having fun! Love those designs.

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  2. What a great experience Rebecca, so glad you are sharing :)

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  3. You sound as if you are enjoying every minute of it. Keep well Diane

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  4. Missing all these beautiful moments here, Pongal is always one of my favourite festival.

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    Replies
    1. I agree its a good one sorry you didn't get to go home

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  5. Happy pongal Rebeca, you started driving Autorickshaw.

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  6. Thank you for including us in your adventures. Learning a little every now and then never hurt anyone.

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  7. Oh dear.. how I envy you! I still haven't been to India.. :)

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  8. I'm just filled with all Pongal memories of Chennai...missing them all here..Have a great Pongal!

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  9. What wonderful times for you and your family, Rebecca! Treasured memories and lovely photos of your holiday. Which dress did Jasmine choose? :)

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  10. I've been seeing your photos on FB, glad you got there safely and that you're having fun. It's all so beautiful and full of colours.

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  11. What a fabulous trip and I'm so enjoying seeing your journey on FB as well as here. So much to learn about a country I know very little about. I had no idea India was so colorful.
    Sam

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  12. I have never heard of this festival before. It's really interesting! Love your Indian dress. You look so sweet in it. Thanks very much for sharing.

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  13. How WONDERFUL. I LOVE these photos! thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us. Continued safe travels and hugs across the miles.

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  14. Your photos are great and it looks like you all are having a wonderful time!!

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  15. How fun to visit India through your eyes! such a colorful trip, glad I got a taste. Happy and safe travels on the next adventure!

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