ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Pongal (festival)

Pongal is a fun and exciting festival that is celebrated in the southern part of India. It is a special time of the year when people are happy and spend time with their families and friends.

Pongal is a harvest festival that marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of the spring season. It is a time when people thank the sun god for giving them a good harvest and abundance of crops.

People prepare delicious food, including a dish called "Pongal," which is made with rice, lentils, and spices. They also make sweets such as "Sakkarai Pongal," which is made with jaggery and rice.

The festival also involves decorating homes with colorful rangolis (patterns made with colored powder), wearing new clothes, and exchanging gifts with loved ones.

One of the unique features of Pongal is the traditional practice of boiling milk in a new clay pot until it overflows, which symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.

Overall, Pongal is a happy and joyful festival where people come together to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for the blessings in their lives.