The harvest festival of Ponggal may have begun as a farmers’ festival that originated in South India thousands of years ago, as a means of giving thanks for the bounties of the earth, but its core message of offering gratitude for all good things in life makes Ponggal relevant for the entire gamut of Tamil population today. While Ponggal typically isn’t celebrated in all its glory in the city, in rural areas and farms, Ponggal proper is a joyous four-day event that is embraced as a harbinger of hope and prosperity.
The first day, Bhogi, is celebrated on the last day of the Tamil month of Margazhi. On this day, homes are cleaned and decorated. It’s a case of “out with the old and in with the new”, with purchasing of new clothes and household items, and the burning of old and unusable things. Bhogi also honours Lord Indra, the God of clouds and rain, worshipped for the abundance of harvest.
The second day is the most important. It marks the first day of the auspicious month of Thai and is therefore called Thai Ponggal; the Ponggal dish is cooked exactly at the moment when the new month is born. This Ponggal day is also called Surya Ponggal as Surya, the Sun God, is honoured on this day for a bountiful harvest.
The third day is Maattu Ponggal, dedicated to the cattle that help farmers in a myriad ways. On this day, the cows and bulls are bathed and decorated with vermillion and garlands. Prayers are offered to them and they are given a well-deserved day of rest for their invaluable service.
The fourth day is called Kaanum Ponggal. With “Kaanum” meaning “to see”, this is a day of socializing, where family member – young and old – get together to share their joy and harvests. It’s also called Kanni Ponggal, after a practice in the old days when the young women of the village would come out dressed in their festive finery and have an opportunity to meet the village’s eligible young men.
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If you've decided to go backpacking in Europe alone, you're probably a little nervous or curious about how you are going to meet other travelers. Backpacking in Europe alone can be a liberating and exciting experience but it can also get lonely if you don't try to put yourself out there a little bit. When planning your backpacking Europe itinerary, make sure you spend a decent amount of time in each city you visit so you have time to take organized tours and hang out in the hostels you stay in so you can get to know other travelers.
Hostels: The Lone Traveler's Lifeline
The great thing about backpacking Europe alone is that there are many other travelers doing the same thing and it is easy to meet them at the hostels you stay in. Backpacker's hostels are a great way to meet other people because there are communal rooms, kitchens, and dorms so you are constantly in contact with other travelers. On the other hand, staying in hotels as a lone traveler can make for a lonely trip because you will always be cooped up in your room alone when you are done with the day's activities. Staying in a hostel is fun because you can cook with your hostel mates and chat with them in the communal area or dorm.
When backpacking Europe alone, you can meet other travelers by taking part in the tours organized at the hostel. Many hostels in Europe organize free walking tours of the city. These tours are a great chance for you to have fun and interact with the hostel staff and guests. You can also sign up for organized tours arranged by travel agencies in order to meet fellow travelers. In addition, hostels often organize social events such as pub crawls and BBQs. Don't be afraid to join in!
Backpacking in Europe alone may seem intimidating initially but it really isn't once you get used to starting conversations with fellow hostel guests. Remember that a lot of the people staying at the hostel are probably in the same boat and feeling just as nervous as you are. The only way you are going to start meeting people and having a memorable trip is by chatting up your fellow hostel-goers.
Make no mistake about it. Backpacking in Europe alone can be just as fun as backpacking with your friends. You'll meet plenty of people on the road as long as you get up the guts to make conversation with the people you meet along the way. Don't forget to participate in organized activities. Buying a bottle of wine and starting a little party of your own is another great way to get to know your hostel mates. The moral of this story is: be open to meeting new people and they will be open to meeting you!
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