When it comes to food, an inexpensive selection and extremely varied choices are available here from the Malays, Chinese and Indians. The best Malay dishes are spicy and fragrant - curries, rendangs, nasi lemak, and sate can be tried out by any Malaysian. These mouth-watering delights can be consumed anywhere; be at food stall, coffee shops, or restaurants. The same goes for the Chinese and Indian food. The Chinese are famous for various styles of cooking, such as Hokkien or Szechuan, whereas the typical Indian food like "Roti Canai" and "Capati" are all very familiar to fellow Malaysians and foreigners alike. This wide selection of culinary delights is often served at functions and festivals.

Undeniably, Malaysia is truly a land of a thousand dollars in festival, which are celebrated on a large scale basis throughout the year. Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated by the Muslim community, the Chinese New Year by the Chinese, Deepavali by the Hindus, and Christmas by the Christians. Although Islam is the official religion of the country, the people of Malaysia enjoy religious freedom. Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism are widely practiced here. The festivals are colorful and they seem to be having one going on at any time of the year. This is again a result of a multi-cultural character. Their uniqueness is their diversity of culture and this is continuously growing closer as each of the cultures plays a great influence on the other.

The hospitality of Malaysians is often seen during a festive season, especially when there is an open-house party. For instance, an open-house party during Chinese New Year, people from all walks of life although some of them are not that well acquainted with the host, are still welcomed with open arms and are entertained with a friendly and generous reception. The guests will be served a variety of delicious mouth-watering cookies and other dishes selected for their auspicious names, like "fatt choy" as it sounds like growing prosperity. The hosts will then give out red packets which are called "let si" or good luck gifts in China to the guests. The "ang pows" are traditionally given by married couples to the young and unmarried. As a token of appreciation, in return of the host's hospitality, it is also a tradition for visitors to bring Mandarin oranges or "kum" when visiting on the festive day. The same thing goes during the Hari Raya Puasa festival. Open houses are visited by not only the Malays but also the Chinese and Indians. There will be flocks of people of all races during the open house made by the Muslim prime ministers and other cabinet members. It has become a country's tradition for the leaders. Authentic dishes such as sate, rendangs of all types, ketupat and lemang are among those that are served.

It is also astounding that even in this materialistic society, where everybody seems obsessed with making money and succeeding at the expense of everything else, the people of Malaysia are still supportive of each other where a deep sense of warmth and togetherness prevail. Although they are different, the ability to understand and accept each other has brought them to where they are today. Because of this, we enjoy a wide array of world class plays in English - such as Phantom of the Opera, traditional Indian dances, Malay programs and Chinese opera. What could once only be seen in four different countries is available in a single city itself.

Although different societies evolved differently, the people are fully aware of each other's customs and traditions. For instance, when a Chinese is invited to a Malay home for dinner, he or she will follow their customs such as eating with hands or sitting down on the floor. The same applies with the Malays or Indians when they visit a Chinese home. If the host uses chopsticks to eat, the guest will follow suit without any reserves. Thus, they are not only gradually becoming closer and closer to each other's cultures but they are also learning to appreciate the beauty in each other. In Malaysia, you may well see a Chinese legend interpreted into an Indian dance, and Indian legend interpreted in Chinese or even the "wayang kulit", a Malay traditional entertainment performed by the Chinese using traditional instruments like "erhu", "yang qin"(guitar) or "gu-zheng"(harp).

Among the audience, too, you will find a mixture of cultures. Many of them may not understand the language of the performance but they are appreciative nevertheless. Even the VIPs invited to grace the occasions are reflective of the unique Malaysian culture who can be of any race. Yet again, Malaysians enjoy a close rapport with each other and are always a delight to the tourists.

What is distinguishing about Malaysia is that so many diverse cultures can co-exist in peace and harmony. Even though there are attempts to arise sensitive values among the people, it seems that those attempts never actually experience any success. The people still seem to appreciate the unity and thrive not to jeopardize it. Mixed marriages are a normal thing in Malaysia, and it is nothing unusual to find your neighbors made up from all kinds of races. Therefore, the Malaysian home is truly a veritable melting pot. They are proud of this and this is what makes them distinctive, and special.

Starting from 2008 all cardinal groups involved in the show have made an agreement with the Cabildo of Santa Cruz de island in which they consent to distribute the image of tourism this Canary Island of through one of the best carnivals in the world. The show groups, mass the sponsorship and patrocini, apply the logo tour the island of island in their entirety of publicity and dissemination of the grouping.

Because of thousands of grouping who poured on the roads every year for more than a week at this event, this show can boast, along with that of Cadiz, in the highest regard pearls festivities which grants the Ministry of Tourism of Spain: January 18, 1980 was declared in fact Feast of International Tourist Interest.

The Carnival of Santa Cruz de island has a different theme apiece year-that this year is "Magic" - and stands out in two parts parallel: the show "official" and the show in the street. The official show is inspired by different groups of street music, extras, costumes, musical groups competitors. In turn, thousands of grouping poured every period in the streets with their disguises invigorating giving life to "carnival in the street".

The groups of street penalization (in Spanish Murgas) are the most favourite and consist of groups of grouping singing, accompanied only by percussion instruments, with letters by criticism of the political and social problems in general.

Each year during an evening gala, broadcast on television for custom throughout Spain, was elected Queen of Carnival. A commission composed of members of municipal companies and celebrities is answerable for electing the queen. In 2008, the commission was presided by Italian actress Sophia Loren. The costumes of candidates matter between 150 and 200 kg and this is ground the woman help with wheels for transporting them. The woman who was elected queen will be answerable for that year, to represent the show in various tourism fairs.

Sabah natives wear their traditional costumes, ladies deck themselves with beads, colourful bangles and headgears while men wear flamboyant feathers and animal skin during the celebration.

The festival which usually stretches from dawn to dawn include the thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest to the spirit of paddy-Bambaazon, the Magavau ceremony performed by the merry-making feast and the Uduk Ngadau – the crowning of the Harvest Festival Queen. The fiesta also includes cultural performances, buffalo racing, drinking of tapai (rice wine) and the dancing Sumazau.

 Visit Sabah, ‘The Land Below the Wind’, and join in the celebration. Tadau Kaamatan national level ‘open house’ will be held on 18 Ma7, in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

During this festival ,beautiful idols of Lord Ganesh are worshipped at homes, and offerings are made to him. The offering are mainly Lord Ganesh favorite foods.

Huge idols are also too inserted in public places(about 20 feet).on the end of he day the idols are taken as rally and then immersed into the water bodies

The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated on the 15th night of the seventh lunar month according to the Chinese calendar (lunisolar calendar). The entire month in general is regarded as the Ghost month (鬼月), but the 13th day of this month is called Ghost Day. The followers believe this is a time which ghosts and spirits, including those of the deceased ancestors, come out from "hell" to visit the living. I still remember my grandmother warning me to behave especially during this month as there are many spirits wandering around! What a fearsome threat!

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This is a performer who is part of a troop of artists who put up a traditional Hokkien show to entertain the many spirits who roam the earth during this month.

They will pray/chant and offer food and other things to the hungry ghosts, so they will have what they need to survive and move on to their next life. Here in Singapore, we sometimes see offerings and joss sticks at road junctions as believers appease the ghosts there to watch over their children and their partners as they use that crossing daily on their journey to school or work.

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This is a time where we have to literally watch where we are walking as devotees offer their incense and food along the pavement as well.

Food offerings to the hungry ghosts.

Hungry ghosts also appear in Chinese ancestor worship 鬼法界, 鬼界 is "the realm of hungry ghosts". Some Chinese believe that the ghosts of their ancestors return to their houses at a certain time of the year, hungry and ready to eat.

A festival is held to honor the hungry ancestor ghosts and food and drink is put out to satisfy their needs.

More food offerings prepared in a temple.

When Buddhism entered China, it encountered stiff opposition from the Confucian adherents to ancestor worship. Under these pressures, ancestor worship was combined with the Hindu/Buddhist concept of the hungry ghost. Eventually, the Hungry Ghost Festival became an important part of Chinese Buddhist life.

Monks chanting prayers outside the temple.

I remember as a child I visited Haw Par Villa in Singapore, where they showed the Ten Courts of Hell. My goodness, I was a well behaved child for a very long time after that!!

Believers burning "hell money" outside a parking lot in Singapore.

In a Chinese funeral, they burn many Hell Bank Notes for the dead. With this Hell money, the dead person can bribe the ruler of Hell, and spend the rest of the money either in Hell or in Heaven. There is a belief that once the dead person runs out of Hell money, and if he does not receive more, he will be eternally poor.

A Chinese glazed earthenware sculpture of "Hell's torturer," 16th century, Ming Dynasty.

A hot Naraka, one of the Buddhist Hells.

Singapore is unique in that the rituals are brought to life throughout the entire seventh lunar month. At the same time, the immigrants in Singapore have brought their own native rituals to the small island nation where the hungry-ghost month still thrives.

These are giant sized joss sticks burnt as offerings for the hungry ghosts.

These are papier-mache forms of material items to be burnt so that the loved ones can enjoy these comforts in their world.

This is The only month that the "hell gates" are opened for all ghosts to receive food and drinks as well as all other forms of offerings burnt for them.

• Pancake Breakfast- From 8:30 to 11 am there is a pancake breakfast at the Fire Hall.
• Parade- There will be a parade and live music starting at 1 pm.
• Independence Day Celebration- Directly after the parade, head to Nehalem Bay Winery for a BBQ and live music and dancing. There is no cover charge, and the whole family is invited to attend. Nehalem Bay Winery is on Highway 53 near Wheeler, one mile from the Highway 101 junction. For more information, call (888)368-9463, or check them out on the web.
• Fireworks-Fireworks will take over the skies at dusk. If you want a real treat, pack some food and head up early to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain north of Manzanita, and enjoy the fireworks displays from Seaside, Manzanita, and Rockaway Beach. Be sure to get there long before the show!

Rockaway Beach

• Parade-A Parade will march through Rockaway Beach starting at 11 am. It will start at the School Administration Building, and head down to Hwy 101 from Bank to Third.
• 4th of July Auction-Directly after the parade, there will be an auction hosted by the Rockaway Beach Chamber of Commerce at the Red Caboose at Wayside.
• Kids Fun Day on the Beach-The Lion's Club sponsors this annual event featuring games and excitement for children of all ages. The fun gets underway at 1pm.
• Fireworks Display-When the sun goes down, the fireworks will fly over the beach. It's truly a site to see.
• For more information call (503)355-2291

Oceanside

• Fireworks-The town of Oceanside, which is West of Tillamook, will be set at dusk. The display can be seen from Netarts.

Pacific City

• Pacific City's Independence Day celebration will coincide with the Clover Days celebration, and be on Saturday, the 5th of July rather than the traditional day, July 4th
• All-you-can-eat breakfast-7-10 am, the Lin's will be hosting a pancake all-you-can-eat breakfast at the VFW Hall. Prices are $6.00 for adults, and $3.00 for children under 12.
• Kid's Corner-From 10 am-3 pm, kids can enjoy a free surrey ride, free ice cream, a bouncy house, a Ferrier demonstration, art, food, and vendors.
• Parade-At 11 am, come see the 27th annual Clover's Day Parade.
• Free Concert-Immediately following the parade, there will be a free convert featuring the popular "Calamity Jazz" from Eugene, Oregon. Bridge street will be closed for the show.
• Fireworks-The fireworks will be set off on the beach at dark.
• Kiwanda Music Festival-At 2 pm, six bands from all over Oregon, with diverse styles of music will play at the southwest corner of the Cape Kiwanda parking lot. There will also be arts and craft vendors. For more information, call (541)996-7746.
• For all Clover's Day information, please contact the Pacific City-Nestucca Valley Chamber of Commerce at (503)392-4340, or email them at manager@pcnvchamber.org. For firework information, call (503)965-7102.

The Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival

The Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival is an eight day festival held annually to showcase local and international talents in the field of Jazz. The Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival 2008 will be held on June 8-15. This summer festival in Jamaica hosts free concerts everyday comes complete with photo exhibitions of famous Jazz artists on display. The creators of the Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival works with the Youth Programme in Jamaica to enrich the lives of young Jamaicans through their music program, mentorship and sponsorship

The Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival started in the summer of 1991 as an experimental one day event called The Ocho Rios “Mini” Jazz Festival. From there, it quickly gained much deserved recognition in Jamaica and across the globe. Many tourists come to Jamaica during the summer to hear the melodies and musical styling of local and international Jazz greats.

International Reggae Day

International Reggae Day is held on July 1 each year to celebrate the impact of Reggae music around the world. People across the world first celebrated International Reggae Day in July1994, when millions of persons went online to listen to the broadcast of Reggae music streaming live from Jamaica. People who followed the on air and online media festival on International Reggae Day are also greeted with messages from popular Jamaican artists such as Jimmy Cliff, urging people online to support Reggae music.

But International Reggae Day in Jamaica goes far beyond on air and online media displays. In Jamaica, there is an annual International Reggae Day Festival held in Kingston that features many local Reggae artists, Jamaican poets and dancers. Each year an International Reggae Day Award is presented to a Reggae artist whose creative work extols the virtues and spirit of Reggae music. In the rest of the island there are many local events in places such as Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios; just ask your hotel for any event they have planned for International Reggae Day or local celebrations nearby.

Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest

Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest is not only the biggest and best attended summer festival in Jamaica, but it is also the biggest Reggae festival in the world. Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest is a week-long summer event held each year on July 13-19 in the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay, except for the Tropical Beach Party.

This summer festival has grown considerably in notoriety since its start in summer 1993 and many popular American, European and local acts grace the stage night after night to fuel the excitement of the events. Local artists such as Damien Marley, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Shaggy, Beres Hammond and Sean Paul are popular among Reggae Sumfest fans from across the globe. The events at Reggae Sumfest are split into categories such as Reggae Night, Dancehall Night, International Artists Night etc. Visit Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest for ticket prices and other details to this summer festival.

The National Festival of Arts

The National Festival of Arts is a summer festival in Jamaica that starts at the beginning of summer and ends on August 6 each year. At the National Festival of Arts, many Jamaican artists sell their local arts and crafts, which are sure to add value to anyone's travel souvenir collection. Local competitions are held during The National Festival of Arts to showcase not only Jamaican artistry, but also to showcase other areas of Jamaican culture: the summer festival features competition in culinary arts, speech, drama, painting, sculpture and dance among many others.

Emancipation Day

Emancipation Day is a Jamaican national holiday held on August 1 to commemorate the day slaves in the British Empire were finally emancipated. Story has it that slaves traveled to the hilltops of Jamaica on the eve of Emancipation Day to meet the dawning of a new day in their history on Friday August 1, 1838. And today, Jamaicans still mark this day in history by reenacting the reading of the Declaration of Emancipation and paying homage to their ancestors.

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Each year the Jamaican Prime Minister gives a speech that is broadcast live on local television from Emancipation Park. Emancipation Park is a newly-built Jamaican landmark in Kingston, built for the purpose of remembering the past: Jamaica's historical figures, national heroes, as well as to commemorate the growth of Jamaica since August 1 1838. Emancipation Park is a well-manicured landscape filled with palm trees and beautiful flowers and on Emancipation Day, many Jamaicans fill the park listening to Reggae music, celebrating and awaiting the Prime Minister's speech. This Jamaican summer holiday should not be missed if you want to learn about the culture of Jamaica.

Independence Day

Jamaica celebrates its day of national independence on August 6, just five days after its Emancipation Day celebrations. For this reason, the beginning of August marks a month of national and cultural pride among Jamaicans. Jamaica gained its independence from Britain on August 6, 1962 and since then it has been celebrating the birth of a new, independent country with annual firework displays across the island.

On Independence Day in Jamaica, many Jamaicans flock to the beaches to enjoy music, jerk chicken, fish and festivals and an all round day of fun in the sun. Jamaica's National Marching Band also marches in the streets of Kingston on Independence Day and a Float Parade also happens in Kingston, Jamaica's capital city.

.At night, people across Jamaica have many street dances in their local communities, where they indeed sweat up a storm and celebrate all that it means to live in a free nation. There is no better time to celebrate independence than in the summer and Jamaicans are prime examples of this idea. No matter what part of the island you are on, you are sure to find local Independence Day events, displays and celebrations that you can attend.

Glasgow is not the gritty, working-class metropolis of legend. It never was, and there are many attractions and things to do in this Mecca of the North.

Glasgow, in fact, is one of the UK's most visited cities. It hosted the Great Exhibitions of 1888 and 1901, became an industrial powerhouse in the twentieth century, and has returned as a place of culture since the Second World War. The city hosted the popular Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988, and was designated European City of Culture in 1990. In 1996, it hosted a spectacular Festival of Visual Arts. More than two million tourists visit from within the UK and from Europe and more distant areas every year.

The Old and the New

Glasgow is home to many of Scotland's principal performing arts organisations:

• The Scottish Opera
• The Scottish Ballet
• The Royal Scottish National Orchestra
• The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
• The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
• The Citizen's Theatre

In addition, there are many new small and "experimental" venues and lively pubs and clubs, especially clustering around the Glasgow centers of learning. Since the city's first university was established in 1451, Glasgow has been hailed as a powerful seat of learning. Lord Kelvin, Adam Smith and James Watt are just some of history's great thinkers associated with the city's academic past. Today's educational establishments include:

• The University of Glasgow
• Strathclyde University
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• The Royal Scottish Academy of Music
• Glasgow School of Art
• College of Commerce
• College of Building and Printing
• College of Food Technology
• Glasgow Hotel School (Strathclyde University)

Visitors are often surprised to learn that Glasgow has the largest retail sector outside of London. Residents and visitors from around the UK and overseas are drawn to the city's expanding shopping outlets, which include:

• Shopping malls like the chic and trendy Princes Square, the enormous St Enoch Centre, Sauchiehall Street Centre, Parkhead Forge, the historical Argyle Arcade, and the Buchanan Galleries (opened 1999)
• The main pedestrian shopping thoroughfares of Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street. .
• The unique and colorful Barras weekend street market
• The smaller, character filled outlets of the city's bohemian West End
• A wide range of top class cafés, restaurants, pubs and wine bars

The city of Glasgow is proud of its tough industrial past and current vibrant economy. The city employs City Centre Representatives to help shoppers and visitors around the city, and a comprehensive City Watch close-circuit TV scheme keeping a watchful eye on the streets.

 

Cotton is a soft fiber that is usually spun into thread that is used to make a soft, breathable textile. The plant grows best in tropical and sub-tropical areas, and the southern states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas offered ideal conditions. Cotton is also grown in other countries such as Mexico, Egypt, India, and South America.

Georgia was the first American colony to produce cotton commercially, and it was planted first near Savannah in 1734. This early cotton was a long, strong fiber brought in from the West Indies, and it thrived near the coast with its ample water supply and long growing season. In the 1830's, as settlers moved inward and opened up rich, flat, productive farmland, the production of cotton spread also.

The cotton market grew throughout the 19th century. New England industrialists recognized the potential and began developing textile mills. Cotton growing became immensely profitable for thousands of Southern farmers. Many of these farmers were actually lawyers, doctors, insurance men, and other professionals living in large antebellum mansions in cities, such as Atlanta, Savannah, Birmingham, and Montgomery, while owning large cotton plantations in the country.

After the American Civil War and Reconstruction, economists urged Southern farmers to diversify their crops, but no one would listen. Cotton was too valuable! As a result Georgia's cotton economy peaked just before the onset of World War I. Four years later the good times were over. The South's economy was destroyed-not by a falling stock market or a war, but by a bug. The boll weevil was cotton's greatest enemy, and it reduced Georgia's cotton yields by 29 % from 1918 to 1924. The other cotton-producing states suffered the same fate. Also, worldwide cotton prices began to fall with the increase in synthetic fibers.

In the 21st century, thanks to the eradication of the boll weevil, the increase in mechanization, federal funded programs, and a move to corporate farming, cotton has returned-but not as King. (Hopefully we have learned our lesson never again to base our entire economy on one product.) Our consumption of domestic cotton is increasing along with exports of yarns, denim, and other cotton products.

The Cotton Plant

The entire cotton plant can be used. After harvest the seeds are removed from the fiber; then the seeds are crushed to separate the oil, meal, and hulls. The oil is used in shortening, margarine, cooking oil, and salad dressing. Some parts of the seed are even used as a high-protein concentrate for food products. The meal and hulls are used to make food for livestock, poultry, and fish. The cotton lint, or fiber, is used in textile products, ice cream, paper currency, fishnets, coffee filters, photography papers, and plastics, to name a few. The stalks and leaves are plowed under to enrich the soil.

Georgia ranks third nationally in cotton production and acres planted. Most of Georgia's crop, however, is exported because the variety planted is short fiber. Therefore, it is not as desirable as the longer fiber to American markets.

The Cotton Gin

Eli Whitney once worked on a Georgia plantation as a private tutor, and while he was there he observed the farmers' difficulty in making their cotton crops profitable. In an attempt to aid the farmers with their problem, he designed and created the first cotton gin, a machine that separated the cotton fiber from the seeds. His machine could produce up to 50 lbs. of cleaned cotton per day, thus making southern short fiber cotton a profitable crop.

In more modern times devices have been created and added to the gin for removing trash, drying, moisturizing, fractioning fiber, sorting, cleaning, and baling. By using electric power and air-blast or suction techniques, highly automated gins can produce 15 tons of cleaned cotton an hour.

The Cotton Gin Festival

Every year on the first Saturday of November, you can step through the “archway” (from Star Trek) back into the past. This time travel will take you to Bostwick, Georgia, during the early part of the 20th century. Bostwick, like so many other old southern communities, was once a busy agricultural town with a mercantile business, a hotel, a cotton oil mill, a railroad line, and a bank.

Now this sleepy little village comes alive on the first weekend of every November. The occasion is the Cotton Gin Festival hosted by the “Save the Hotel” Committee. Bostwick has one of the few still-working cotton gins in this part of Georgia, and farmers from all over the area bring their cotton here to be ginned and baled. The Cotton Gin Festival celebrates the continuation of the “old way of life.”

Be sure to come early and catch the parade. In 2005, the Queen's float had an empty chair with no rider. Ms. Julie Y Stone, who had been the Cotton Queen for years, passed away earlier during the year 2005, and her float was designed with an empty chair to be a memorial to this dearly beloved lady. In addition to the parade, there are all sorts of arts and crafts. There are live bands, skits, and wonderful home cooking. They have the best barbeque you will find anywhere!

While you are there, be sure to tour the “Susie-Agnes Hotel.” The hotel was built in 1902 and is a typical example of an old southern building with two stories and a balcony overlooking the main road through the town. The sitting room downstairs is decorated with beautiful antiques, and the bedrooms upstairs are made up and ready for the next tenant. This was once a popular meeting place for merchants who came to sell their cotton. They would bring their crops here to be ginned, baled, and loaded on the train to Savannah. From the port in Savannah, the cotton would be shipped to England and other European countries. The hotel was named for the wife and the daughter of the town's founder, John Bostwich, Sr. It has since been listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and it was seen in the movie, “My Cousin Vinnie.”

Another place you must visit is the general store owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Ruark. The store is an old red brick building with a tin roof. When you step inside the door, time goes back a hundred years. The floor is wooden, and the shelves and showcases are handmade. Just inside the door is an old coke box filled with sodas. On the counter by the cash register is a scale to weigh candy and cheese. On the back wall, cotton-picking sacks hang from hooks. As you look around, the owners entertain you with stories of the “old days.”

Don't forget to see the cotton gin. You can see actual cotton being ginned and baled and loaded onto large trucks outside. You will see trucks coming in from cotton fields, and you will follow the cotton step by step as it is dumped into the machine that separates the fiber from the seeds. Then the cotton is cleaned and moved to the next machine where it comes out in oblong bales. Each bale then is placed inside a large sack and sealed to protect it from the elements. Lastly, the bales are loaded on to large flat bed trailers to be transported to the ports in Savannah.

Here is a story that explains the significance of this day. Indra became proud and arrogant because everyone worshiped him (on this day). Lord Krishna wanted to teach him a lesson, so he asked his shepherd friends to worship Mount Govardhan instead of Indra on the day of Bhogi Pongal. Indra was terribly angry with this and sent forth the seven clouds to cause thunder, lightning and heavy rains to destroy the shepherds. But Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain so all the shepherds and their cattle could go underneath. Indra felt humbled and begged for Krishna's forgiveness; Lord Krishna allowed Bhogi celebrations to continue in honor of Indra.

On this day before sunrise, a huge bonfire is lit in front of the houses and people throw all their useless things into the fire. This is a symbol of starting a new year. The fire burns through the night while boys beat little drums called “Bhogi Kottus". These are made from buffalo hides.

Homes are cleaned until they're spotless and are decorated with "Kolam", designs drawn with the white paste of rice and red mud. In villages, yellow pumpkin flowers are put in cow-dung balls and placed in the middle of the designs. The harvest of rice, turmeric and sugarcane is brought in and kept ready for the next day's festivities.

The second day of Pongal is known as Surya Pongal and is dedicated to the Sun God. On this day, the granaries are full, the sun shines brightly, and everyone's hearts overflow with happiness. A plank is placed on the ground and Kolam is drawn on its sides. In the middle of the plank is a big picture of the Sun God. The Puja of the Sun God starts after the birth of the new month Thai. Prayers are offered to the Sun God to seek his blessings.

The word `Pongal' has two meanings. Firstly it is the name of the food cooked on this day and secondly the word "Ponga" means "boil". So the word "Pongal" means something that is overflowing. The preparation of this food uses a mud-pot called Pongapaanai on which pictures are drawn. While the Puja is being performed, fresh tumeric and ginger saplings are tied to the neck of the Pongapaanai with leaves. The leaves are a symbol of prosperity, the turmeric of auspiciousness, and ginger for the spice of life. The special food called "Sarkkarai Pongal" is cooked in this mud-pot. After the puja is over, "Sarkkarai Pongal" with sticks of sugarcane is offered to the Sun god as thanks for the plentiful harvest. Sugarcane is a symbol of sweetness and happiness in life. The month of Thai (a Tamil month) starts the marriage season in Tamil Nadu.

The Third day is Maattu Pongal, which is the festival of cattle. To the village people, the cow and the bull are very valuable, so the farmers honor them by celebrating it as a day of thanks to them. The cattle are washed, and their horns are painted. Multi-colored beads, bells, sheaves of corn, and flower garlands are tied around their necks. They are fed with pongal and taken to the village centers. The sound of their bells attracts the villagers as the young men race their cattle. The whole place becomes festive and full of fun and celebration. Big commotion is seen when the game "Manji Virattu" starts in which groups of young men chase the running bulls.

In some places, there is "Jallikattu". It is a bullfight in which moneybags are tied to the horns of the bulls and unarmed young men are asked to retrieve them from the bull's horns. Community dinners are also held when everyone dines together forgetting the distinction of caste or class.

To sum it up, Pongal is a festival when god is praised with a simple faith and sincerity.