The first big festival of the year is almost here! Pongal, celebrated in grand fervour in Tamil Nadu, falls on 15th January, 2020. If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking to learn more about this famous South Indian festival. I’ve explained the little history I know (that my grandmother told me about), the significance of the festival, and the traditions we follow during Pongal. So, do give it a read! And a Happy Pongal to you!
So, Pongal is basically celebrated for 4 days – which is why it is expected to go on till 18th January, 2020. It is a harvest festival – similar to Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Bihu, and Hogada – and is celebrated in gratitude for the year’s harvest.
The word Pongal in Tamil means “to boil”. It is also the name of everyone’s favourite dish, Pongal – a sweet dish made of boiled rice and lentils.
The festivities of Pongal are spread over a span of 4 days – each of which I’ve described here.
Day 1 of Pongal – Bhogi (15th January, 2020)
The Bhogi Festival is celebrated in devotion to Lord Indra, the God of rain. The day is celebrated with family – each of who wear new clothes and buy special gifts for their loved ones. One of the rituals followed on this day is the ‘Bhogi Mantalu’ where people dance around a bonfire made of wood and cow dung cakes. Useless items from home are tossed into the bonfire on this day.
There is a legend behind this significant day of the harvest festival. Lord Krishna, when he was little, asked all the cowherds in his village to stop worshipping Lord Indra who had become arrogant after becoming the King of all Gods. Lord Indra was maddened by this act and decided to shower continuous rains on the village. Lord Krishna comes to the rescue at this time and lifts up a mountain under which all the villagers could seek refuge from the storm. Thus, Lord Indra learnt his lesson and understood little Krishna’s divine powers.
Day 2 of Pongal – Thai Pongal (16th January, 2020)
The second day of Pongal, Thai Pongal, is dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God. The main ritual on this day is cooking rice and milk (to make Pongal) in an earthen pot out in the open – under the sun. This offered to Lord Surya along with sugarcane, bananas, coconuts, and other harvest produce. On this day, girls bathe early in the morning to draw kolam (similar to rangoli but drawn using lime powder) outside the house.
Day 3 of Pongal – Mattu Pongal (17th January, 2020)
Mattu Pongal is a special day for cattle when they are bathed, painted and adorned with garlands. They are worshipped and thanked for the help they offer farmers to plough the fields. There is an interesting story about Mattu Pongal too.
So, Lord Shiva sends his bull, named Basava, to inform all humans on earth to do an oil massage and bathe everyday. Basava mixes us up the instruction and tells everyone to bathe once a month and eat everyday. Riled up by Basava’s silly mistake, Lord Shiva banished him to Earth where he would have to help the humans plough fields in order to produce more food.
Day 4 of Pongal – Kaanum Pongal (18th January, 2020)
The final day of the Pongal festival consists of a simple ritual where the leftover sweet, Pongal, along with betel leaves, betel nuts, and sugar cane are placed on a clean turmeric leaf. The women in the families carry out this custom seeking prosperity for the family.
So this is how Pongal is celebrated by Tamil Nadu and Tamilians around the world! What’s your favourite part of the Pongal festival? Let me know in the comments!
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