Chennai: Bhogi, marking the commencement of the 4-day Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu, began on Monday early morning, with the people discarding their old items and burning them to usher in the fest.
It was a tradition that has been long followed that on the eve of the Pongal festival, people will discard their old items and burn them by lighting bonfires in front of their houses, before cleaning their homes to usher in the auspicious Tamil Month ‘Thai”.
The legend has it that the birth of Tamil month “Thai” meaning “Thai Piranthal Vazhi Pirakkum”, (the birth of Thai will pave way for a new life) marking the beginning of a new life after discarding the unwanted things.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu State Pollution Control Board Chairperson (TNPCB) advised people to celebrate a smoke-free Bhogi to ensure that the air pollution level was kept under control.
Earlier, due to burning of old items, smokes emanate across the city and the arrival
and departure of flights were delayed due to thick smoke engulfing the areas across
the city and in around the airport, causing discomfort to the passengers.
In an advisory, the TNPCB said “Our forefathers celebrated “Bhogi” the day before Pongal festival traditionally based on hope by discarding old and derelict things and concentrating on new things which causes change or transformation.”
Earlier, Bhogi festival heralded by lighting bonfires with old materials and goods crafted from natural materials and these activities did not pollute the atmosphere or have an influence on the environment.
“Now-a-days during “Bhogi”, air pollution is caused by incorrect practice of burning discarded tyres, plastic goods, tubes, papers with chemical residues etc. Because
of these activities, dense black smoke is produced disrupting landing/take-off of
regular flights in Airports and driving in City streets”, it said.
Furthermore, it created air pollution and health hazards to the public causing eye
irritation, sneezing etc.
To prevent such illicit practices, awareness is created by the TNPCB among the public for the past 20 years through distribution of hand-outs, audio messages using auto rickshaw etc. Because of these public awareness campaigns, the activities of burning of waste tyres, rubber tubes and other waste materials have been reduced significantly.
To monitor the ambient air quantity in Chennai, TNPCB will conduct ambient air quality survey in 15 locations throughout the day for 24 hours on Bhogi festival and day-before and day after the festival and the ambient air quality data would be published in the website of the TNPC Board.
To continue with the forthcoming environment friendly celebration of “Bhogi,” 2025, TNPCB has taken several steps to create awareness in the Greater Chennai Corporation and also in all Districts of Tamil Nadu.
Therefore, the Public are requested to celebrate Bhogi without burning plastics, tyres,
tubes etc to protect the environment.
“Wishing everyone a very Happy Pongal”, it said.
