They are beautifully adorned. It is a great day for the cattle. Young girls prepare various special dishes, like sweet rice, sour rice, rice with coconut, etc., and take them to the bank of a river or tank. They feed the birds, fish and other creatures with the various items. It is a very colourful ceremony.
Crows appear in large numbers and partake of the food.
They call their mates before beginning to eat. Both these days, which are family re-union days, are regarded as being inauspicious for travel. This is to prevent us from going away from home on such days. When you celebrate the Shankranti or Pongal in this manner, your sense of value changes. You begin to understand that your real wealth is the goodwill and friendship of your relatives, friends, neighbours and servants.