Pongal Festival

Unveiling the Essence of Pongal

In 2024, Pongal will be celebrated on Monday, 15th January 2024. Pongal is a four-day celebration, thus each day has its importance. In India, 65% – 70% of the population, livelihood is agriculture. Even it’s not surprising that most of the festivals are dependent on the agricultural background.

The festival of Pongal is also known as Thai Pongal, and it is mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu state. The beauty of Thai Pongal is not only impounding the natives of Tamil Nadu but also celebrated with great gusto and glory, all over the world. The Festival of Pongal occurs once a year and generally, it is celebrated on the 14th or 15th of January and is celebrated on a tremendous level. Since, the Sangam period the festival of Pongal has been celebrated.

Roots of Pongal

In the beginning, Pongal was celebrated only by the community of Dravidian, but later it found meaning in the lives of farmers. And slowly it acquires popularity or fame in every area of society. Therefore, Pongal is the annually harvested festival and it marks the initialling stage of Uttarayana (for a six-month position of Sun towards the north).

As per Hinduism, the period of Uttarayan is considered an auspicious event as different to the period of Dakshinayan (movement of the Sun towards the south). During the period of Uttarayan, all the auspicious or good events are scheduled. When the Sun comes into Capricorn, it marks the festival of Makar Sankranti.

This year Thai Pongal will be celebrated by sending good wishes to your family and friends with our Pongal wallpapers and greetings.

2024 Pongal: what is Pongal?

Pongal is considered as the harvest festival which is celebrated by the community of Tamilians in Tamil in the month of Thai (January-February) Therefore, the festival of Pongal is known as Thai Pongal. This occasion of Pongal is celebrated to give tribute to nature and to ensure a fine harvest of crops such as sugarcane, turmeric, rice, cereals and many more. The Festival of Thai Pongal is celebrated at the same time when other main festivals like Assam Bhogali Bhihu, Lohri in Punjab and Makar Sankranti in Karnataka, Bihar, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra are celebrated. The term Pongal, when translated in Tamil means “to boil and spill over”. On the special day of Pongal, the signature sweet dish is made and it gets its name from this occasion i.e. Pongal. In the harvest month of Thai, the festival of Pongal is celebrated continuously for four days. Now, let’s start with Bhogi, the first day of Pongal.

A Glimpse into Pongal’s Days

First Day of festival Pongal: Bhogi – Setting the Tone

The festival of Pongal starts with the Bhogi celebration. God Indra (lord of rain) is worshipped on this day. On the day of Thai Pongal rituals are followed i.e. build a fire and put all the unused and old items like clothes and utensils into it. Therefore, the ritual of Thai Pongal is a mark to throw away all bad or past wrongs and also welcome a great and positive future. Thus, the Crowd come around the fire and enjoy these moments by dancing and singing songs.

Second Day of the Pongal Festival: Surya Pongal – Honouring the Sun

Surya Pongal is celebrated on the second day of Thai Pongal. On this auspicious day, Lord Sun (Lord of rain) is worshipped. The day begins with the ritual, outside the house boiling the rice and then it is offered to the Lord Sun. According to the Thai Pongal tradition, a plant of Turmeric is tied to such container in which the rice is boiled. And when the rice is boiled, it spills over the container and then it is offered to the Lord Sun along with bananas, coconuts and two pieces of Sugarcane. Drawing the traditional Rangoli in front of a container is another main ritual of Pongal that is followed at the time of Puja.

Third-Day of Pongal Festival: Mattu Pongal – Celebrating Cattle

Mattu Pongal is celebrated on the third day of the Thai Pongal. In Tamil, the word Mattu means cow thus, it is a day which is dedicated to cows. The cow is considered very important for agriculture. On this day, cows are firstly cleaned and decorated with coloured papers, paints, balloons etc. and belts with little bells are tied around the neck of the cow. Then, cows are taken for events like cow races or processions. The main attraction of the third day of Thai Pongal is the fighting of the Bull named Jallikattu. On this day, young men fight with the bulls to win over them and in return, they get money as a reward. In Tamil Nadu, Madurai city is also known as the temple town famous for the event of Jallikattu, the auspicious festival of Thai Pongal.

Fourth Day of Pongal Festival: Kanum Pongal – Culmination and Blessings

Kanum Pongal is celebrated on the fourth and the last day of the Pongal festival. This day starts with the assembling of women of the house in the courtyard for a ritualistic prayer ceremony. This puja starts with putting a washed turmeric leaf on top of the Pongal Sweets, sugarcane, ven (spicy) Pongal, white rice, turmeric, betel leaves and nuts. After this whole process, the women perform aarti of the head of the family i.e. husband and take blessings of him. Then this water is sprinkled in every room of the house and it removes the negativity of the house and welcomes the Goddess Laxmi in the home on the last day of the festival of Thai Pongal.

Pongal 2024: A Year of Exuberance

In the upcoming Thai Pongal of 2024, the air will be charged with joy, cultural richness, and the essence of four enthralling days of celebration. Join in the jubilation, embrace tradition, and witness the vibrancy of this cherished festival.

Conclusion

Pongal embodies the fusion of tradition and agricultural significance, reverberating through Tamil Nadu’s cultural fabric. It serves not just as a harvest festival but as a testament to unity, gratitude, and the resilience of a community deeply rooted in its heritage.

FAQs

1. What is the cultural significance of Pongal?

Pongal epitomizes gratitude towards nature, celebrating the harvest season and honouring the Sun for agricultural abundance.

2. Are there regional variations in Pongal celebrations?

Yes, while primarily celebrated in Tamil Nadu, variations exist in how different regions commemorate Pongal, adding diverse flavours to the festivities.

3. How does Thai Pongal unify communities?

Pongal transcends caste and creed, uniting people in a collective celebration, and fostering camaraderie and cultural harmony.

The beauty of Pongal lies not just in its rituals but in the tapestry of emotions it weaves, fostering unity, and gratitude, and celebrating the bounty of nature amidst a vibrant cultural backdrop.