Pongal 2024: Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. The festival marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of the harvest season, particularly the rice harvest. Pongal is typically celebrated in mid-January and coincides with the Tamil month of Thai. While Makar Sankranti is celebrated in North India, Pongal will be observed on January 15, 2024, in South India. Apart from sun worship during Pongal, there is also a ritualistic worship of cattle, Indra (the god of rain), and agricultural-related items.
The Four Days Of Pongal:
Pongal is a festival celebrating the harvest. It is a four-day festival, and each day has its own significance and rituals.
The first day is known as Bhogi Pongal, where worship of Indra is performed, wishing for good rainfall, happiness, and prosperity. In the evening, old items from the house are taken out and burnt.
On the second day, Thai Pongal, gratitude is expressed to the Sun god for the winter solstice. A special dish, especially a sweet rice pudding called "kheer," is prepared as an offering to the Sun.
The third day involves decorating cattle and worshipping them, known as Mattu Pongal. Bull racing events take place on this day.
The fourth day includes creating rangoli at the main entrance of homes, exchanging greetings and sweets with neighbors to celebrate the festival, known as Kannam Pongal.
Date And Time:
This year Pongal falls on January 15. Here are the timings for the four-day celebration:
Bhogi Pongal on Monday, January 15: Sankranti Moment: 2:54 AM
Thai Pongal on Tuesday, January 16
Mattu Pongal on Wednesday, January 17
Kannam Pongal on Thursday, January 18
How Pongal Is Celebrated:
Looking at the tradition of the Pongal festival, it resembles the Govardhan Puja celebrated in North India and the Chhath Puja celebrated in Bihar. The Pongal festival spans four days, each with its own customs. The first day is Bhogi Pongal, the second day is Thai Pongal, the third day is Kannum Pongal, and the fourth day is Mattu Pongal. On the first day, people clean their homes and discard unnecessary items. On the second day, they offer arghya (offering of water) to the Sun god. This day also involves offering new rice to the Sun. On this day, gratitude is expressed to the Sun god, Indra, cows, and bulls, as well as tools used in agriculture.
Significance Of Pongal:
During the Pongal festival, people perform worship and prayers to express gratitude for a good agricultural harvest and prosperity. It is believed that on this day, the Tamil New Year also begins. On the first day, known as Bhogi Pongal, gratitude is expressed to Lord Indra for a bountiful harvest and good rainfall.
On the second day, worship is dedicated to the Sun god, on the third day, there is a ritualistic worship of animals, and finally, on the last day, homes are decorated with flowers, symbolizing wishes for happiness and prosperity. Pongal is a festival expressing gratitude to the sun, nature, animals, and all deities for a successful harvest, abundant light, and a joyful life.