In Tamil Nadu, Maksar Sankranti is known by which name?

Category: Tamil Nadu Gk

Hint: Consider the major harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu.

Correct Answer: C) Pongal

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

Bhogi Pongal: The first day is dedicated to the god Indra, the ruler of clouds and rain. It is a day of cleaning and discarding old belongings, symbolizing the removal of the old and welcoming the new.

Thai Pongal: The second day is the main day of the festival, when the Sun is worshipped. People prepare a special dish called "Pongal," a sweet rice dish cooked in a clay pot, which is then offered to the Sun god.

Mattu Pongal: The third day is dedicated to cattle, which are an integral part of agriculture. Cattle are decorated and worshipped, and they are often given a special bath and adorned with garlands and bells.

Kanum Pongal: The fourth day is a day of family gatherings and outings. People visit their relatives and friends, and it is a time for socializing and enjoying the harvest.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, not Tamil Nadu. It is incorrect because it is not associated with Maksar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu.
Option B: Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, not Tamil Nadu. It is incorrect because it is not associated with Maksar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu.
Option C: Pongal is the correct answer because it is the name given to Maksar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu. It is a four-day harvest festival celebrated to thank the Sun, cattle, and the land for a bountiful harvest.
Option D: Lohri is a harvest festival celebrated in Punjab, not Tamil Nadu. It is incorrect because it is not associated with Maksar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu.

Mnemonic: P for Pongal, the primary harvest festival in Tamil Nadu.

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