When is Kanuma?
Kanuma is an important day during the Pongal and Sankranti festivals, which are both ancient harvest festivals that take place in mid-January, celebrating the movement of the sun reversing, marking the start of the end of winter.
Kanuma in Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, the Kanuma festival is celebrated on the third day of the four-day Sankranti festival. It may also be called Mattu Pongal (festival of the cow).
It is an important festival of Telugu people and is dedicated to cattle and other animals that are an important part of the rural economy in Andhra Pradesh.
Govardhan puja or go pooja (worship of cows) takes place during the Kanuma festival. The cattle are bathed and decorated with paint and ornaments. They are taken to the temples and pooja is performed.
Sankranti ends on the next day with 'Maukkanuma', a day of feasting and celebration.
According to legend, on this day Lord Krishna saved the local people of Gokula who came to his rescue after there was a huge flood in the village. It is said that Lord Indra, in the form of his avatar god of rain, was overconfident about his powers and flooded the village. Krishna picked up the Govardhan hill with his little finger and gave shelter to all the villagers in danger. Seeing the effect of his actions, Indra withdrew the heavy rains from Gokula. Krishna then offered a Govardhan puja to calm Indra.
Kanumu in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the fourth and last day of Pongal is known as Kanumu, Kaanum Pongal or Kanyapongal. It may also be called Uzhavar Tirunal.
The word kaanum means "to visit" or "to go see" as this is a day to visit and thank family and friends who have helped in the farming season and the harvest. Many families hold reunions on this day.
In Tamil tradition, Kanumu is a day for brothers and sisters to pay tribute to each other and mark the special relationship between siblings.
