Pongal >> Sakkarai Pongal
Pongal (January 14) is dedicated to the Sun god Surya, and the term Pongal refers to the boiling over of milk and rice (signifying abundance). Celebrated as a thanksgiving festival for a good harvest, the first grains are consecrated to Surya, and homes are decorated with banana and mango leaves. One of the main preparations for the occasion is Sakkarai (sweet) Pongal made from rice, lentils, cardamom, jaggery, coconut and cashew nuts. Started in 1940, Café Madras offers both Sakkarai and the Khara or Ven (with salt and ghee) Pongal. Since they are shut on Mondays, the café will offer Sakkarai Pongal on this Sunday instead (they offer Ven Pongal every Sunday). Devavrath Kamath, owner of Café Madras says, “In my family, there is a heartwarming story from my father’s time when the staff cooked a feast for us at their own expense to express their gratitude. Pongal is a three-day celebration (till January 16) and in villages, it is made in a new vessel tied with turmeric leaves and it is supposed to overflow as it is considered auspicious.”