Kanum Pongal, sometimes called the Kanu Pongal, the fourth day of the festival, marks the end of Pongal festivities for the year. The word kanum (kaanum) in this context means "to visit." Many families hold reunions on this day. Communities organize social Kanum Pongal, sometimes called the Kanu Pongal, the fourth day of the festival, marks the end of Pongal festivities for the year. The word kanum (kaanum) in this context means "to visit." Many families hold reunions on this day. Communities organize social events to strengthen mutual bonds. Villagers cut and consume farm fresh sugarcane during social gatherings. Relatives, friends and neighbors visit to greet, while youngsters go out to meet seniors among the relatives and neighborhoods to pay respects and seek blessings, while some elders give the visiting children some pocket change as a gift.
Kanu Pidi is a tradition observed on Mattu Pongal by women and
young girls. They place a leaf of turmeric plant outside their home, and feed
the leftover pongal dish and food from Surya Pongal to the birds, particularly
crow. They pray for their brothers' well being, in a manner similar
to Bhaiya dooj in north India. Brothers pay special tribute to their married
sisters by giving gifts as affirmation of their filial love.events to strengthen mutual bonds. Villagers
cut and consume farm fresh sugarcane during social gatherings. Relatives,
friends and neighbors visit to greet, while youngsters go out to meet seniors
among the relatives and neighborhoods to pay respects and seek blessings, while
some elders give the visiting children some pocket change as a gift.
Kanu Pidi is a tradition observed on Mattu Pongal by women and
young girls. They place a leaf of turmeric plant outside their home, and feed
the leftover pongal dish and food from Surya Pongal to the birds, particularly
crow. They pray for their brothers' well being, in a manner similar
to Bhaiya dooj in north India. Brothers pay special tribute to their married
sisters by giving gifts as affirmation of their filial love.
Kaanum Pongal is
the day of relaxation and enjoyment and people spend time by socializing or
visiting each other’s house. In Andhra Pradesh Kaanum Pongal is celebrated as
‘Mukkanuma’ and is observed by worshipping cattle.
Rituals during Kaanum Pongal:
- On the day of Kaanum Pongal,
devotees clean their homes and decorate it with ‘kolam’. On this day,
Kolam of Sun God is drawn as the prime deity in the month of Thai is Sun
God. Special puja is done and Pongal is made as offering to Sun God.
- The most important event
observed on Kaanum Pongal is visiting the banks of River Kaveri. It is
celebrated with friends and families just like ‘Bhai Dhuj’ and ‘Raksha
Bandhan’. A scrumptious meal is prepared on this day. People pack lunches
and then enjoy it with their families on the bank of Kaveri River. In some
places, special prayers and pujas are offered to Mother Kaveri.
- ‘Kumi patu’ or ‘Kummippatu’ is
another ritual observed on Kaanum Pongal. This ritual is very predominant
in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu and is done for speedy marriage of young
girls whose marriages are delayed for some reasons. During Kumi Patu, the
girl is made to sit in the middle of the circle and women dance around her
to the tunes of Kumi patu.
- The festival of Kaanum is the
Tamil way of celebrating Brother’s Day. On this day women feed the birds
with rice and pray for the prosperity of their brothers. This ritual is
known as ‘Kanu’. Sisters also visit the home of their brothers to inquire
about their well-being. Women also eat food made on the previous day for
long life and well being of their brothers.
- Kaanum Pongal is the day of
merriment. People visit each other’s home and mingle freely even with
strangers. New relationships are initiated and on Kaanum Pongal people
believe it auspicious to make marriage proposals.
- On the day of Kaanum Pongal,
brothers give gifts to their married sisters in exchange of love.
Landlords also give gifts in the form of money, clothes and food to their
tenants. The younger’s in the family pay their respect to elders and get a
token of money as blessings in return.
In the
state of Andhra Pradesh, this day is celebrated by worshipping cattles. This
day is the favourite day for non-vegetarians as people abstain from eating
non-vegetarian food on the first three days of Pongal and save it for the last
day