India is ranked as the second most populated country in the world. It has a population of 136 crores. With these many people living here comes diversity. People of several religions and cultures live in India in harmony. There are numerous festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. India is famous for its diversity. All the festivals are celebrated with enthusiasm and grandeur.
As we know, the north Indian and the south Indian culture is so different yet so unique. One of the famous festivals of South India is Pongal. So, in this article, we talk about Pongal.
What is Pongal?
Pongal, which is referred to as Thai Pongal, is a multi-day harvest festival. It is celebrated in many parts of the country with enthusiasm and zeal. Tamil Nadu is famous for the Pongal celebration. According to the Tamil solar calendar, it is observed at the starting of the month Thai. The festival is named after the ceremonial 'Pongal', which means 'to boil or overflow.' The name is in reference to the dish that is traditionally prepared on this day. The dish is made with the new harvest of rice, milk, and raw sugar.
Pongal is dedicated to the Hindu sun god, the Surya. After the traditional dish is made, it is offered to the gods and goddesses. It is then offered to cows, and then it is served among the family members.
Pongal festival is a four-day celebration affair. The Bhogi festival is celebrated on the first day, Thai Pongal is celebrated on the second day, Mattu Pongal is celebrated on the third day, and the Kaanum Pongal is celebrated on the fourth day. This year Pongal was celebrated on 14th January.
Pongal has many regional names. The most popular version area as follow:
- Makar Sankranti
- Bihu
- Lohri
- Hadaga
- Poki
History of Pongal
The history of the festival can be traced back to the Chola period. The Chola period began in the 9th century. According to the proof, this festival is indeed old. Some historians also claim that this festival is dated back at least 2,000 years old. It was celebrated as Thai Niradal.
According to the legends, during this festive season, unmarried girls pray for the agricultural prosperity of the country. For this, they are abstained from the consumption of milk and milk products and oiling their hair throughout the month. They are also not allowed to use harsh words.
Pongal 2023 Date
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When is Pongal 2023?
Pongal for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Sunday, 15 January.
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Pongal dates for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Fri | 14 Jan | Pongal | Restricted Holiday |
| 2023 | Sun | 15 Jan | Pongal | Restricted Holiday |
| 2024 | Mon | 15 Jan | Pongal | Restricted Holiday |
| 2025 | Tue | 14 Jan | Pongal | Restricted Holiday |
| 2026 | Wed | 14 Jan | Pongal | Restricted Holiday |
Pongal Quotes
As the Sun starts its journey towards the north, it makes all joyous moments of this year come to life. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Pongal.
Celebrate this day with a heart filled with cheer and fervour. Sending my warmest greetings to you and your family this Pongal.
Pongal is the time to express your gratitude to the Almighty and seek his blessings for your life. Wishing a blessed Kaanum Pongal to you.
With great cheerfulness, zeal and brightest rays of joy and hope, I wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous Pongal.
I wish this Pongal connects you to the brightest of moments. May you reach new heights on this auspicious occasio. Here’s wishing you a very happy Pongal.
A new beginning is one of the eternal mysteries of life. Wishing you a very Happy Pongal.
May the sweetness of overflowing milk and sugarcane fill your life with happiness and prosperity. Wishing you and your family, Happy Pongal!
Pongal Wishes
We have all come in the world with a bright destiny. Let’s celebrate the day as the brightest days of our lives. May you all have a Happy Pongal!
May this harvest festival fill your life with joy and prosperity. Happy Pongal to you and your family.
On the occasion of Kaanum Pongal, I am sending you my love and lots of wishes to have success, prosperity and happiness in your life. Happy Kaanum Pongal to you.
On this beautiful day, I wish that you may be able to receive the gift of God perennially and get every little thing that you have wished for in life. I wish you a prosperous and Happy Pongal.
May the sun bring you and your loved ones the rays of joy and happiness. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous Pongal.
May the sweetness of overflowing milk and sugarcane fill your life with happiness and prosperity. Wishing you a very happy Pongal.
Pongal Messages
May you celebrate the festival of Pongal by dressing up in beautiful clothes, decorating your home and preparing the feasts. Happy Pongal to you.
May the auspicious fire bring you joy and happiness and burn all your moments of sadness. Wishing you a very Happy Pongal.
May this harvest festival fill your life with an abundance of joy and prosperity. Happy Pongal to you and your family.
The occasion of Pongal is all about being thankful for all the blessing and offering prayers to the God. Wishing everyone a blessed Pongal.
I wish that this Pongal fills your life with love, happiness, prosperity, health and spirituality. Here’s wishing you a very Happy Pongal.
Why is Pongal celebrated?
The reason behind the celebration of Pongal is rather interesting. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva once asked his bull Basava to visit the Earth and tell humans to have an oil massage and bath every day and eat once a month. But Basava told humans that they should eat daily and have an oil bath once a month. This mistake of Basava made Lord Shiva very angry and, he cursed Basava to stay on Earth. Basava had to live on Earth forever. He also had to help farmers in ploughing the field. Basava helped farmers in growing more food.
Significance of Pongal
Pongal is a thanksgiving ceremony for a year's harvest. It is celebrated to thank Indra dev and Surya dev. Indra dev is the one who controls the rain, and Surya dev is the god of the sun. Rain and sun are both significant for a good harvest. To thank the gods, Pongal is celebrated.
We know that India is an agricultural country, and the majority of the festivals are inclined towards nature. Pongal is also one of the festivals celebrated to thank nature.
How Pongal is celebrated?
Pongal is a four-day festival. The Bhogi festival is celebrated on the first day, Thai Pongal is celebrated on the second day, Mattu Pongal is celebrated on the third day, and the Kaanum Pongal is celebrated on the fourth day.
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The first day of Pongal - The Bhogi festival
The first day is celebrated in honour of Lord Indra, the god of rain and lord of lords.
On this day, old belongings are discarded, and cleaning of the house is carried out. Old belongings are discarded to signify a fresh start. New clothes are worn, houses are decorated in the spirit of the festivity. At night, useless items of the household are tossed in the bonfire made of cow dung cakes and wood.
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The second day - The Thai Pongal
The second day is the main day of Pongal and is celebrated as Thai Pongal. This day is celebrated in honour of the sun god, Surya. A ritual of boiling rice and milk together is performed. The pot in which it is made is an earthen pot. A turmeric plant is tied to the vessel as an offering to the sun god.
Colourful decorative patterns are drawn at the entrance of the house called kolam. The design is made with lime powder. This drawing should be done after taking a bath early in the morning.
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The third day - Mattu Pongal
Mattu Pongal is the day that is celebrated in the name of cows. The word "Mattu" refers to "cow, bullock, cattle." Cattle are regarded as sources of wealth for providing dairy products, fertilizers, transportation, and agricultural aid by Tamil Hindus. Cows are bathed and adorned with multi-colour beads, flower garlands, and bells. Their horns are decorated with flowers. This day is devoted to the cows because of the hard work they do in the fields. Cows are fed with a mixture of venn pongal, jaggery, honey, banana, and other fruits.
Sports are also played during the festival. Sports and games such as cattle race are popular sports.
People living in the city follow the ritual of visiting a nearby temple and praying there.
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The fourth day - Kaanum Pongal
The word Kaanum in this text means "to visit." Families hold reunions on this day. They visit each other and celebrate together the last day of the auspicious festival. Children especially like this day as the elders give some pocket change to kids as a gift. This day gives importance to the ties of the family. Younger people seek the blessings of the elders of their families. It is also a day for traditional dance Indian folk dances such as mayilattam and kolattam.
A ritual is also performed on this day. Sweet Pongal and other food which is left in the household are set out in the courtyard on a washed turmeric leaf, accompanied by betel leaves, betel nuts, and sugar cane.
Usually, women of the household carry this ritual for the prosperity of their brothers.
Interesting facts about Pongal
- Pongal is considered one of the biggest harvest festivals of the Hindu religion.
- The southern states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, etc. celebrate Pongal for four days.
- Pongal is not only celebrated in India but also in Malaysia, Singapore, the US, where South Indian people reside.
- The four days of Pongal are celebrated differently. Each day of Pongal has different activities.
- The custom that consists of spilling rice over the earthen pot means abundance in the family.
- Puthiyeedu was the name by which Pongal was celebrated during the Chola dynasty rule.
- Indian own a dairy farm in Singapore where thanksgiving prayers would be conducted for the cattle.
