Happy Pongal

Pongal falls on the first day of the Tamil month Thai (January 14 — 15). Also known as Sarkarai Pongal or Veetu Pongal, it is celebrated by boiling fresh milk in new pots early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel. This tradition gives Pongal its name. The moment the milk boils over and bubbles out of the vessel, the tradition is to shout "Pongalo Pongal!" and blowing the sangu (a conch), a custom practiced during the festival to announce it was going to be a year blessed with good tidings. It is considered a good sign to watch it boil over, since it means that good luck and prosperity is forthcoming.