In an agricultural based civilization, the harvest of crops plays an important role. Farmers depend on timely rain, sun and their cattle in order to get good harvests and earn their income as well. In India, this Harvest season is celebrated all over the country to express gratitude and pray for better harvests in the year to follow. However, currently, in our country, due to changes in weather conditions and lifestyles, farmers are unable to meet their potential harvests. Therefore, apart from supporting them in various ways we can also pray along with them during this time for the betterment of their lives and harvests. It is celebrated in different ways in different parts of our country. In the North of India this celebration is called 'Makar Sankranti' and in the South it is called 'Pongal'.
At Ekadaksha we celebrate the day as 'Pongal'. Pongal comprises of 4 days of rituals. Each day symbolises one important aspect of the Harvest process. The Center was decorated with the artwork of evey class - The sun, the pots, the bulls and people having fun. The children learnt the rituals of by playing games which involved the sequence of each day's ritual - A typical way of Hands on learning. The children were divided into their house teams (Red, Blue, Green & Yellow). The relay games & competitions then began:
-Red house vs. Green house played 'Thai pongal!Thai pongal!' wherein they set up the scene of preparation of Pongal by arranging firewood, a clay pot, kolam, sugarcane and flowers.
-Yellow house vs. Blue house played 'Maatu pongal!Maatu pongal!' wherein they decorated the bull with flowers, balloons and fed grass to it as well. The bulls were now ready for the celebration and prayers.
- The finals-Green house vs. Blue house played 'Kaanum pongal!Kaanum pongal!', the day where families get together, dress up and go for picnics. The children raced to dress up their teachers with shawls, jewellery, sunglasses and got them ready to go for a fun outing.
This way the children understood the different days and rituals of Pongal. Apart from that they learnt to set up and decorate things beautifully, wait for their turn and know how they can enjoy a celebration. Once the games were over, it was the favourite time of all children and teachers - They ended their day licking their fingers with yummy salt and sweet pongal dishes.
Click here for the Fun games for Pongal.
