Why Farmers Love Pongal: A Cool Science Adventure!

How Farmers Prepare for Pongal

Farmers prepare fields before the festival is about to come. They wait until their crops, such as rice, sugarcane, and turmeric, are full-grown. It’s like waiting for a cake to bake perfectly. The weather plays a huge role in this process, too.

The Sun’s Role:

Farmers love Pongal because it celebrates Surya, the Sun God. The sun is super essential for farmers! Without sunlight, plants wouldn’t grow. The sun helps plants make their food through a process called photosynthesis. Cool, right?

The plant’s kitchen is a photosynthetic kitchen where the sun shines, water, and carbon dioxide are mixed to prepare food for the plant. Pongal falls in January because such bright sunlight is enough for more crops to thrive under its sky.

Science of Harvest

Now, let us talk about the most interesting thing about Pongal—the harvest!

Gather harvest means the crops that farmers take after so much hard work. In Pongal, harvest time means farmers cut down their crops, like paddy or rice, and collect them from the fields. That’s where science in agriculture comes in!

Water and Soil

Plants require water and fertile soil to grow. Water sources could be direct rainfall, rivers, or even irrigation. The soil, rich in nutrients, is like a buffet for the plants. Farming families monitor the health of their soil all year, ensuring their plants get the best nutrients. They also ensure that their crops get enough water but not too much because too much water can cause flooding in the fields, and too little water can dry out the crops.

The Pongal Pot: A Science Experiment! 

Boiling rice in a pot is one of the most remarkable traditions during Pongal. This is not a cooking trick but more of a mini-science experiment enjoyed by all.

Farmers and their families cook recently harvested rice in clay pots under the sky. They wait for the rice to overboil,  a sign of auspicious luck. But do you know what is going on?

Boiling Science:

When you heat water and rice in a pot, the water turns into steam. The steam rises and causes the rice and water mixture to overflow. This boiling-over symbolizes abundance and happiness for the family. It’s like the pot is so full of blessings that it can’t hold them all!

This experiment also teaches us about heat energy. The fire under the pot gives the rice enough energy to cook, turning it from hard grains into soft, yummy food!

The Animals Join the Fun!

During Pongal, farmers also celebrate a special day called Mattu Pongal. This day is dedicated to their animals, especially cows and bulls, which help farmers plough the fields and carry heavy loads.

The Science of Animal Care 

Animals are precious to farmers as they contribute to agriculture. Cows are milked for the yummy goodies one receives in school tuckshops, and bulls work on the farm, helping their humans in the field. Therefore, their care is an issue, and Mattu Pongal devotes one day in the year to loving them.

Farmers decorate their cows and bulls in bright colours with bells. They give them treats that are considered unique, such as how you would provide a yummy snack for your pet. It is their day of rest and play after the year of laborious work done by the animals.

Why farmers thank nature

Pongal is all about being thankful for nature—the sun, rain, soil, and animals—that help farmers grow their crops. Farmers know that without nature’s help, they wouldn’t be able to grow food.

Protecting the Environment

Farmers also love the earth. They understand that clean water and healthy soil mean more crops and food for everybody. Some farmers adopt organic farming, which does not apply poisonous chemicals, to ensure a healthy earth. Thus, the world is ready to support another Pongal.

Conclusion: The Cool Science of Pongal

It’s not only fun but a science adventure: Pongal! From harvest times to boiling rice and giving homage to the animal kingdom, the farm family teaches science each day of life. This makes them fall in love with Pongal, a day that celebrates the entire year’s effort and bounties given to them.

Next time you celebrate Pongal, remember how important this festival is to farmers and all of us who are connected to them. Be thankful to the sun, water, soil, and animals as they are to their farmers.

Happy Pongal! Enjoy your extraordinary science adventure!

Blog crafted by ASHIFA HAKKIM, Content Developer,
Rankyouhigher, Coimbatore.

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