Why is the Pongal Festival Celebrated? See How South India Celebrates Harvest Festival

With Makar Sankranti, there arrives the most popular festival in South India. Pongal, the South Indian festival is famous all over India. This beautiful festival marks the end of winter. Not only that, but it also marks the beginning of the six-month journey of the Sun.

Moreover, Pongal is a harvest festival that has been a part of cultural tradition in the southern regions. Besides, people enjoy the famous dish Pongal during this festival. Let us find out some amazing facts about the Pongal Festival in South India.

Why is the Pongal festival celebrated?

The word ‘Pongal’ means ‘to boil’ in Tamil. Pongal is a harvest festival. So, this festival has great significance to the farmers. People in South India credit their year-yielding crops to the Sun God and Lord Indra. Thus, they celebrate Pongal to show gratitude to these Gods. Besides, they also worship the cattle that help them in growing crops.

Where is Pongal celebrated in India?

Pongal is celebrated in the southern states of India. They are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh.

When is Pongal celebrated?

Pongal falls in the Tamil month of Thai. That is a month that starts sometime in mid-January and ends in mid-February. People celebrate this year’s Pongal festival from 15 January 2024 to 18 January 2024 for 4 days in south India.

What is the story of Pongal?

There are many interesting mythological stories related to Pongal.

1. Once Lord Shiva commanded his mount, Basava, the bull to go to the earth and convey a message. He asked him to tell everyone that they should massage oil daily and eat only once a month. But, Basava told the people of the earth just the opposite. He asked them to eat daily and have an oil massage once a month. So, Shiva became furious with Basava and sent him to the earth. Then Basava started working in the fields and producing crops. Thus, Pongal has a connection with cattle. Therefore people of South India worship cattle in Pongal.

2. Lord Krishna was mischievous as a child. He wanted to teach a lesson to the arrogant God of Rain, Indra. So, he asked the cowherds not to worship Indra. Thus Indra became angry and he brought a 3-day thunderstorm with heavy rain. Then Lord Krishna lifted the mountain Govardhan on his little finger to save the people on the earth. Thus, Indra realized that he was wrong to be arrogant.

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What are the 4 days of Pongal?

Day 1 (15 Jan 2024)– Bhogi

Bhogiis the first day of the Pongal festival. On this day, people thank Lord Indra, the God of Rain. Besides, they set a bonfire made of dried cow dung and wood. Then, they throw their unused and unnecessary items in that fire.

They believe that they burn old habits and get ready for the purification of their souls. Next, the female members gather around the fire and sing and dance. This ritual is called Bhogi Mantalu.

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Day 2 (16 Jan 2024)– Thai Pongal

Thai Pongal is the second day of Pongal. This is a special day of Pongal. People even call it Surya Pongal. Women have a bath early in the morning and wear new clothes. They also adorn themselves with jewelry. Then they make designs with lime powder at the entrance of their houses.

These designs are Kolams. Then they cook a dish with milk and rice in a clay pot to which they attach a turmeric plant. They prepare Pongal with milk, rice, and jaggery in an open area, and offer it to the Sun.

Day 3 (17 Jan 2024) – Mattu Pongal

Mattu Pongal is the third day of Pongal. People show gratitude to the farm animals on this day. They bathe these animals and paint their horns. Then they put tilak on these animals and decorate them with bells and garlands. Next, they worship these animals and offer Pongal to them.

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Day 4 (18 Jan 2024)- Kaanum Pongal

Kaanum Pongal is the fourth day of Pongal. People even call this Karinaal in some places in Tamil Nadu. People worship the Sun God. Then all the family members gather in the courtyard.

Next, they offer the Sun God the leftover Pongal on turmeric leaves. Besides Pongal, they also offer sugarcane, betel leaves, and colored rice. In the end, they pray to God for prosperity and happiness.

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What is the Pongal dish?

There are two types of Pongal dishes. One is a sweet dish and the other one is a spicy dish. The rice that women boil with milk and jaggery in Thai Pongal is Sakkarai Pongal. It is brown and is a popular sweet dish. Besides, you can find this Pongal as Prasadam in temples. On the other hand, the Huggior Melagu Pongal is a spicy form of Pongal made of rice, pepper, and coconut. South Indian people enjoy this food as breakfast with sambhar and chutney. Also, read Best Places to Visit India in March

Indian festivals reflect the culture and traditions of different regions. Yet, many festivals find different names in different parts of India. Pongal is one such festival. Pongal in North India is known by different names. It is known as Lohri in Punjab and Makar Sankranti in other northern states. Pongal in Assam is known as Bihu and Gujarat is known as Uttarayan. So, whatever the name of this festival is it brings joy and hope to the people of the country. Read Also: South Indian Food: Top 10 Must Eat Local Dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which God is worshipped in Pongal?

People in South India worship Lord Indra and Sun in Pongal.

What is the date of the Pongal festival in 2023?

Pongal starts on the 15th of January and ends on the 18th of January in 2023.

Q. Are Pongal and Sankranti the same?

Makar Sankranti in western India is Pongal in south India.

Why do kites fly on Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival. Besides, it marks the end of winter and beginning of spring season. So, people welcome the season by flying kites on their terraces.

Which is the most famous festival celebrated in Kerala?

Onam is the most famous festival in Kerala. It is a harvest festival that falls in the month of August and September.

What is Pongal known in Kerala?

People in Kerala call the Pongal festival Pongala.

What is South India famous for?

South India is famous for its spicy food, wonderful traditions, and magnificent temples. Moreover, South India is also famous for South Indian silk, sandalwood items, and gold jewelry.

When is the best time to visit south India?

Winter season is the best time to visit south India. So, you can visit south India between December and February.

January Festival in India
April Festival in India
February Festival in India
March Festival in India

Further Read:

Why is the Pongal Festival Celebrated? See How South India Celebrates Harvest Festival

Why is the Pongal festival celebrated?

Where is Pongal celebrated in India?

When is Pongal celebrated?

What is the story of Pongal?