Ratha Saptami Ratha Saptami/Surya Jayanti Several festivals are dedicated to Surya, the Sun god. He is celebrated during the harvest festival of Pongal in South India and elsewhere in India as Makar Sankranti. During the month of Mâci in Tamil-Nadu (mid-February, mid-March), Ratha Saptami is another celebration of the Sun god.
Month of Thai Kolam to celebrate Surya Pongal, part 2 The pot is a symbol of abundance and a recurring theme as well in the kolam designs during pongal. It is either shown with rice balls that pile up on top of each other or with milk froth foaming out of the mouth, like the overflowing milk rice preparation.
Month of Thai Kolam to celebrate Pongal, part 1 The month of Thai starts with the most celebrated and joyful harvest festival called Pongal. The kolam extend beyond the intimacy of the homes, spreading their lines and dots into public space. It is women who weave together the objects of a bountiful period on white or coloured canvasses.
Kolam/Tamil Nadu Kolam are in the kitchen as well The kitchen remains a privileged place where one must avoid any bad influence that would harm the health of family members. The use of votive decorations differs among families.
Inspiring artists Inspiring women-Subhadra Natarajan I met Subhadra N. in Chennai many years back. She and her husband invited me to celebrate my first Pongal at their home far away from Chennai center.
