Pongal 2024: Dates, History, Significance – Know All About The Special 4 Days Of Festival

Pongal is a conventional harvest pageant celebrated in South India, primarily in Tamil Nadu. It is noticed within the month of Thai in keeping with the Tamil photo voltaic calendar and often falls on January 14 or 15. The pageant is devoted to Lord Surya Narayan, the Sun God, and is related to crop harvesting. In northern India, the pageant is named Makar Sankranti. 

The 4-day pageant is marked by a number of customs and rituals, together with the giving of milk rice to the Sun deity and the well-known bull-taming sport of Jallikattu. The pageant is widely known over 4 days with Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal, noticed on consecutive days. In 2024, the Pongal pageant will start on January 15 – also referred to as Makar Sankranti in North India – and finish on January 18.

Pongal 2024: History And Significance

Pongal is understood to have its origins within the Sangam Period (200 BC–300 AD) and lots of imagine that the outdated pageant was even celebrated in the course of the time of the Chola Empire.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva despatched his bull Nandi to earth to request the mortals to have a meal as soon as a month, and an oil therapeutic massage and a shower each day. However, Nandi suggested everybody to take an oil tub as soon as a month and have a meal day-after-day. Lord Shiva was livid with the combo-up and Nandi was condemned to stay ceaselessly on earth. He will largely be answerable for plough work and aiding others in growing meals manufacturing, Shiva declared. So this present day is widely known for harvesting crops and cattle to make sure higher produce.

The Pongal celebrations are fairly valuable to Tamilians. This month is named Thai month, and the individuals of Tamil Nadu imagine that it brings constructive change to their lives and helps them overcome their issues. This is the time of 12 months when crops like sugarcane, turmeric, and rice are harvested. This month is considered auspicious for marriages, engagements, and all non secular and religious actions.

Four Days Of Pongal

Day 1:

Bhogi Pongal: As a part of the Bhogi pageant, the primary day of the celebration, which falls on January 15 this 12 months, is devoted to honouring Lord Indra. Because he’s credited with bringing prosperity to the land, Lord Indra is revered because the rain God. It is also referred to as Bhogi Mantalu as a result of, on this present day, individuals burn their undesirable home items in a blaze composed of wooden and muffins of cow dung. The females carry out dances across the bonfire and sing songs in reward of God. During the winter solstice, a bonfire is lit to remain heat.

Also Read: Happy Makar Sankranti 2024: Wishes, Greetings, WhatsApp Messages To Share With Friends And Family

Day 2:

Surya Pongal: The second day of the Pongal celebration, which falls on January 16, is the principle day, generally known as Surya Pongal (or Thai Pongal). To start the day, recent milk is boiled till it reaches the vessel’s edge. One of the principle customs of the Pongal vacation, it’s believed to carry prosperity. Tamil Nadu residents put together the standard candy dish “Pongal” on this present day utilizing rice, milk, and jaggery. This is obtainable as prasad to the deity. To carry out the ceremony collectively, girls from numerous areas of Tamil Nadu assemble at a particular website. Bananas, coconuts, and sugarcane are among the many further choices made to the Sun god.

Day 3:

Mattu Pongal: The third day of Pongal, generally known as Mattu Pongal, is dedicated to cow worship and this 12 months, it falls on January 17. On this present day, agricultural animals like cows and oxen are honoured since they assist farmers successfully elevate and harvest their crops. For Mattu Pongal, livestock are artistically embellished after being bathed. When “Pongal” is supplied for cows and oxen, their horns are usually painted and garlanded. Bullfights additionally known as Jallikattu, are organised on this present day. The bull-taming sport is nicely-recognized within the Madurai space of Tamil Nadu.

Day 4:

Kaanum Pongal: Kaanum or Knau Pongal, which falls on January 18, is the fourth and final day of Pongal. There are a number of areas of Tamil Nadu the place Kaanum Pongal is also referred to as Karinaal. People supply Sarkarai Pongal and meals as sacrifices to the Sun God on this present day. Sugarcane is consecrated to the deity and traded amongst people to symbolise sweetness and pleasure in life. People journey to see shut ones and much-off acquaintances at Kaanum Pongal. People carry out native dances and sing conventional melodies throughout Kaanum Pongal.

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