01-12-2009, 09:50 AM
<b>The story behind the association of cows/bulls to Pongal festival : </b>
According to an ancient story,once Lord Shiva asked his bull, Basava, to go to the earth and ask the mortals to have bath every day, an oil massage and to eat once a month. Unconsciously, Basava announced that everyone should eat daily and have an oil bath once a month. This made Lord Shiva furious who then cursed Basava, exiled him to live on the earth forever. He would have to plough the fields and help people produce more food.
<b>Prasada </b>: Women prepare the sweet receipe 'Sarkarai pongal" with ingridents like new rice and jaggery which is first offered to Sun God. Sugarcane is offered as a symbolic for sweetness and happiness in life.
According to an ancient story,once Lord Shiva asked his bull, Basava, to go to the earth and ask the mortals to have bath every day, an oil massage and to eat once a month. Unconsciously, Basava announced that everyone should eat daily and have an oil bath once a month. This made Lord Shiva furious who then cursed Basava, exiled him to live on the earth forever. He would have to plough the fields and help people produce more food.
<b>Prasada </b>: Women prepare the sweet receipe 'Sarkarai pongal" with ingridents like new rice and jaggery which is first offered to Sun God. Sugarcane is offered as a symbolic for sweetness and happiness in life.