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A nation that gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘ethnic diversity’ is the nation of India whose multi-cultural and multi-ethnic communities live in harmony among diverse backgrounds. As a nation filled with a rich cultural heritage and racial and ethnic diversity, the populace of India practices a vast variety of faiths, beliefs and religions. This multi-belief system gives rise to a number of festivals that are celebrated annually.

The Pongal Festival is one such festival celebrated by the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India. A harvest festival, Pongal spreads over four days of giving thanks to Mother Nature for a bountiful harvest and praying for fruitful seasons ahead. The festival usually falls in the middle of January when certain types of cereals and rice are harvested.

On the first day of the Pongal celebration, the Bhogi Festival takes place. During this day, the devotees give thanks to Lord Indra who is said to exert control over the clouds that provide rainfall. In addition, another ritual warrants the discarding of unusable household items into a bonfire and is illustrative of the final onslaught of winter where people light fires to keep warm. As the next day dawns, so commences the ritual of boiling rice in milk while donning traditional attire and offering this sweet treat to the God of the Sun. Mattu Pongal heralds the third day of the festival: the day devoted to the cows, an animal which occupies a sacred position in India. Cows are decorated immensely with garlands, bells and beads and worshipped reverently. The celebrations take on a festive hue as the youngsters of the village merrily engage in cattle races. The fourth and final day of this festive celebration is marked with a ritual involving the laying down of rice, betel leaves and nuts, plantains and many other types of food on a freshly washed turmeric leaf. The women of the family will then bless the house and their brothers and sprinkle turmeric water in front of the house.

If you are visiting the Indian State of Tamil Nadu during the month of January, do take part in the festivities by staying at a Pondicherry hotel in order to immerse yourself in the culture of the state’s inhabitants. Pondicherry accommodation is rather varied and a hotel can be found for any budget. However, if you wish for style and luxury, one of the best options this serene city affords is Hotel Atithi for it provides you with access to unspoilt beaches, a number of shopping experiences and spectacular views of this mystical city.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
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