Pongalo Pongal!
Once, I formed the Folk deity in my hands
and slid Him down the soil and anchored Him at the depth.
He is honored with the first fruits of the soil.
(Rice from the harvest is cooked in new pots, and milk and Jaggery are added later)
He is spray tanned with the smooth turmeric paste.
(The fresh turmeric roots are harvested, brushed off the soil and rubbed along with water in a rough stone)
The cow dung Pillayaar is adorned with the Scutch Grass that doesn't wither off.
The sugar soaked sugarcane's, sheathed in blades are raised as banners.
The Bull named Vellaiyan is led to the quiet waters.
Scrubed and washed off with the dry hay.
Fed heavily on oil cakes and bran.
Adorned with multi-coloured flowers.
Till this date, This century old pot rice ceremony is being carried out
with the wide-eyed excitement.
Why do we search God elsewhere?
He is Omnipresent.
He is in the oxygen you receive from Trees.
He is in the aid you receive from Humans.
Also in the masterpiece of His creation, YOU and ME.
Let's gracefully thank everyone who has helped us so far,
keeping farmers in the top of our gratitude list.
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Note: Thanks to Kalai and Jeevitha for their help in translation.
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