Gifts for pongal

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Pongal celebrations are predominantly elaborate in southern India and generally fall around mid January of every year. Generally, the celebrations mark the end of old man winter’s reign for the year and the start of warmer climatic conditions. More importantly, Pongal forms the beginning of the first harvest season and so farmers and those involved in the agricultural business look forward to a bountiful harvest. Celebrations of pongal include prayers to God as well as singing, dancing and other social gatherings.

Pongal gift giving has been in existence for years and years now. What has changed is the kind of gifts given during pongal. For those of south Indian origin that currently live in western countries, pongal gift giving is quite different from gifts exchanged during pongal amongst south Indians living in India. While this is true, the basic underlying principle behind the gift giving practice during pongal remains the same. That is, essentially one prays for a bountiful harvest, thanks the Lord for the past and looks for His blessings in the future.

If you are living in India, exchange of high quality veshtis which are a traditional men’s garment or exchange of saris which are a traditional women’s garment are common. Some wealthy families in the agricultural businesses may give the gift of an elaborate pump set for farm irrigation during pongal celebrations. If you live in one of the western countries, pongal gift giving is more modern by way of boxes of chocolates, gift certificates to expensive Indian restaurants and such.

Pongal is also the name of a sweetened rice dish that is prepared with lentils and aromatic items such as cardamom and saffron. And as such most pongal gifts are connected one way or the other with food, grains or harvest. High class kitchenware is becoming a popular pongal gift in recent times. A full set of good quality dinnerware such as expensive china is a good idea. A recommendation is also the presentation of silver utensils for formal dining.

At the very least, one should send good quality Pongal greeting cards. Stay away from cheap gifts for the occasion of pongal, since that is believed to set the tone for the coming future.