Pongal Festival

What is Significant About Pongal Festival?

The festival of Pongal holds great value in the hearts of South Indian people. Celebrated at the peak of the winter solstice, below are the key significance of Pongal festival:

• Sun’s Transition Into Capricorn: Pongal marks the transition of Lord Surya into Capricorn (Makar rashi). This astrological transition signifies hope, growth and stability.
• Renewal of Life: During Pongal, people replace old items (clothes, household items) with new ones and burn old ones in a bonfire. This simple act symbolises renewal of life by letting go of the past and negativity.
• New Beginnings: The Pongal festival symbolises ‘new beginnings’ as it marks the start of the Thai month (per the Tamil calendar) and the Sun’s northward journey, called ‘uttarayan’.
• Honouring Lord Surya: Per the Tamil culture and tradition, Uttarayan Punyakalam is a time to honour Surya Deva (the Sun) for a plentiful harvest. Besides the Sun, people also credit Mother Nature and farm animals for harvests.
• A Time of Prosperity & Wealth: Legend has it that at Pongal, the Hindu Gods wake from a six-month sleep and bless devotees on Earth with immense wealth and prosperity.

What are the 4 days of Pongal?

A four-day festival, Pongal have unique rituals and customs that reflect Tamil culture and traditions. Below are the key customs followed during these four days:

• Bhogi Pongal

The first day of Pongal known as Bhogi Pongal, marks the beginning of the Pongal festival. The first day is dedicated to Lord Indra, who saved their crops from drought damage. On this day, people clean and decorate their homes with Rangoli, known as Kolams.

• Surya Pongal

The second day is dedicated to Surya God, where the devotees unite to worship Lord Surya. On this day, fresh milk is boiled until it touches the tip of the vessel.

So, this is how the celebration of Pongal begins. After the Prasad, made out of milk, rice, and jaggery, is prepared, it is first offered to Lord Surya.

• Mattu Pongal

The Mattu Pongal is dedicated to Cows and Oxen because the successful harvesting of crops is only possible because of them.

On this day, the homes of cows and oxen are cleaned, decorated and offered with freshly made Prasadam. Bullfights, known as Jallikattu, are also organised in some regions.

• Kaanum Pongal

Kaanum Pongal is also traditionally referred to as Karinaal in Tamil Nadu. This is the last day of the Pongal festival, where Sarkarai Pongal is offered to the Sun God.

People visit their dear ones to celebrate the joy of sweetness by exchanging sugar canes and offerings to the Gods. People also perform a traditional Tamil dance known as Kali Attam.

What is the story behind the Pongal?

The history of Pongal dates back to the Sangam Age (200 BC to 300 AD), when it was celebrated as Thai Un and Thai Niradal.

Historical records show that Chola king Kulottunga I (1070-1122 CE) granted land for annual Pongal celebrations, proving its long-standing importance.

In fact, the festival's name comes from the Tamil word 'Pongu,' meaning 'to boil over’ or ‘overflowing’, symbolising abundance and prosperity.

There are tales that explain why Mattu Pongal, the third day of the festival, is dedicated to worshipping cattle and celebrating their contribution to agriculture.

• Legend of Lord Shiva and Basava

One popular legend tells how Lord Shiva sent his bull, Basav,a to Earth with a message for humans to eat once a month and bathe daily.

However, Basava mistakenly told them to eat daily and bathe monthly. As punishment, Shiva banished Basava to Earth permanently to help farmers plough fields and produce enough food.​​

• Legend of Lord Krishna and Mount Govardhan

Another story involves Lord Krishna convincing villagers to worship Mount Govardhan instead of Lord Indra. Angered by this, Indra sent storms to destroy crops and cattle.

Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan on his finger for seven days, protecting everyone underneath. This taught Indra humility and established the tradition of honouring cattle during Pongal.​

What are Effective Remedies In Pongal Festival?

Pongal is a time to attract good fortune! But by following the simple remedies stated here, one can make this festival more auspicious and attract more prosperity.

• Strengthen the Planet Sun:

Offer Surya Arghya at sunrise while chanting ‘Om Suryaya Namah’ to strengthen the position of the Sun in your birth chart. One can also chant the Aditya Hridayam Strotam to get rid of karmic obstacles and balance the afflicted Sun.

• Wear Lucky Colours:

One must wear or incorporate lucky colours during the Pongal celebrations. The colours red and orange are linked to the planet Surya and attract confidence, radiance and positivity into life.

• Feed or Donate:

Feeding cows jaggery and grass and offering grains to birds on Pongal festival is believed to attract good luck. Moreover, donating sesame seeds, jaggery, blankets or food to those in need also brings blessings.

• Decorate Home With Kolam:

During the Pongal festival, draw Kolam patterns with rice flour at the home’s entrance or main door. These simple Kolum patterns will prevent any negative energy from entering the house and also invite positivity and bring good fortune.

Summary

Pongal is a four-day Tamil harvest festival celebrating the Sun, nature and prosperity. Observed in January, it includes Bhogi, Surya, Mattu and Kaanum Pongal. Families cook traditional Pongal, honour cattle, draw Kolams and perform rituals for renewal, gratitude, and abundance, inviting positivity, wealth and good fortune.

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