Pongal: Harvest Festival of Tamil Nadu

Pongal is an important festival of Tamil Nadu which is celebrated every year in January. It is an agriculture-based festival that celebrates the arrival of the harvest season. Pongal lasts for four days and each day has its special significance. Pongal festival is celebrated in South India when the Sun reaches Uttarayan. Pongal is one of the most prominent festivals in South India. It is mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. It is believed that Tamil New Year also begins on this day. There is a tradition of making kheer and offering it to the Sun God on Surya Pongal. It is believed that in South India, after harvesting the paddy crop, people celebrate the festival of Pongal to express their happiness. On this day, people worship rain, sunshine, sun, Lord Indra and farm animals to bring prosperity. This festival lasts for four days.

The first day of Pongal, Bhogi Pongal, is a day of cleansing and bathing. On this day, people clean their houses and wear new clothes. On this day, people also prepare a special dish, Bhogi Pongal. Bhogi Pongal is a sweet and savoury dish made from rice, sugar and coconut.

On this day, people also worship Lord Indra. Indra Dev is known as the god of rain. People thank Lord Indra for the rains and wish for happiness and prosperity for the coming year.

The second day of Pongal, Surya Pongal, is the main festival day. On this day, people worship the Sun God and pray to him to provide a good harvest. On this day, people also participate in traditional games and events.

Day 3: Mattu Pongal

The third day, Mattu Pongal, is the day of animals. On this day, people worship their cattle and feed them a special food. On this day, people play with animals and bathe them.

Fourth day: Kanum Pongal

The fourth day, Kanum Pongal, is a day to celebrate together with family and friends. On this day, people give gifts to each other and spend time with each other.

Pongal is a vibrant and colourful festival that reflects the culture and traditions of Tamil Nadu. It is a festival that brings people together and creates an atmosphere of happiness and celebration.

Pongal festival is celebrated in South India when the Sun reaches Uttarayan. Pongal is one of the most prominent festivals in South India. It is mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. It is believed that Tamil New Year also begins on this day. There is a tradition of making kheer and offering it to the Sun God on Surya Pongal. It is believed that in South India, after harvesting the paddy crop, people celebrate the festival of Pongal to express their happiness. On this day, people worship rain, sunshine, sun, Lord Indra and farm animals to bring prosperity. This festival lasts for four days. Every day has its importance.

Mythological stories of Pongal

The first story is about Lord Shiva and his bull Basava. It is said that once Lord Shiva sent his bull Basava to earth to deliver a message to humans. The message was that humans should bathe in oil every day and eat food once a month. But Basava misunderstood the message and told the humans that they should take an oil bath once a month and eat food every day.

This made Lord Shiva very angry and he cursed Basava that he would have to live on earth and plow to help humans. That is why the third day of Pongal, is celebrated as Mattu Pongal, in which bulls are worshipped.

The second story is about Lord Krishna and Lord Indra. It is said that once, Lord Krishna in his childhood decided to teach a lesson to Lord Indra. Lord Indra was the king of the gods at that time and he had become very arrogant. Lord Krishna forbade the cowherds of his village from worshipping Lord Indra.

This made Lord Indra very angry and he sent a storm that lasted for three days. The storm destroyed the city of Dwarka. Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Mountain on his finger to save his cowherds and cows. The storm subsided and Lord Indra realized his mistake.

The meaning of this legend is that Lord Krishna showed that through devotion and hard work, one can overcome any challenge.

In both these stories, bulls and livestock have an important place. Pongal is an agricultural festival and bulls and livestock are essential for agriculture. Therefore, bulls and livestock are honoured in these tales.

Pongal festival date in the current year 2024

Bhogi Pandigai-14 January 2024

Thai Pongal-15 January 2024

Sankranti moment-15 January 2024

Mattu Pongal-16 January 2024

Kannum Pongal-17 January 2024