Pongal is a major festival of South India, especially Tamil Nadu. this festival makar sankranti It is celebrated with and symbolizes the worship of Sun God with the arrival of new harvest. Through Pongal, gratitude is expressed towards nature, farmers, and livestock. Let us know, when is Pongal this year, what is its significance, and how is it celebrated.
Pongal 2025 date
Pongal festival this year 15 January 2025 Will be celebrated. It is a four-day long festival, which also marks the arrival of the New Year in Tamil Nadu. last day of pongal Mattu Pongal Which is especially dedicated to the worship of livestock.
Why is Pongal celebrated?
The festival of Pongal is associated with nature and agriculture. It is a festival of prosperity, prosperity, and family unity.
- Expressing Natural Gratitude:
- This festival is celebrated to worship nature and express gratitude towards it.
- This festival dedicated to Sun God, rain, and agricultural products holds special significance for the farmers.
- Social and Family Importance:
- All the family members celebrate it together.
- It provides an opportunity to increase mutual love and harmony.
- Relation of Pongal with other festivals:
- Similar to Makar Sankranti in North India, Lohri in Punjab, and Uttarayan in Gujarat, Pongal is celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
How is Pongal celebrated?
1. Day 1: Bhogi Pongal
- The first day of Pongal is celebrated as Bhogi.
- On this day, old and spoiled household items are burnt and discarded like Holi.
- People clean the house and bring new things home.
2. Day 2: Surya Pongal
- Sun God is worshiped on this day.
- Special Pongal prasad is made from milk, rice, jaggery, and cashew nuts.
- Prasad is offered to the Sun God and distributed among the family and neighbours.
3. Day 3: Mattu Pongal
- This day is dedicated to livestock worship.
- Farmers bathe and decorate their bulls and cows.
- Colorful clothes, garlands of flowers, and bells are tied around their necks.
4. Fourth day: Kanum Pongal
- On this day people visit relatives and enjoy traditional food.
- This day is a symbol of increasing love and harmony in family and society.
Rituals and Traditions of Pongal Celebration
- Wearing new clothes:
During Pongal, people wear new clothes after bathing in the morning and perform puja.
- Making Pongal Prasad:
- Pongal Prasad is made from milk, rice, and jaggery in a new vessel.
- After offering the Prasad to the Sun God, it is distributed among all.
- Decorating Rangoli:
- to the courtyard of the house kolam It is decorated with (Rangoli).
- It is made from rice flour and natural colors.
- Decoration of Cows and Bulls:
- Farmers bathe their cows and bulls and dress them in colorful clothes and jewellery.
- Worship is done expressing gratitude towards the livestock.
- Discarding old things:
- Old and useless items in the house are burnt and discarded.
- It is a symbol of new beginnings and positive energy.
importance of pongal
Pongal is not only a religious festival but it also reflects the connection of human life with nature and agriculture. This festival:
- Symbol of wealth and prosperity:
This festival celebrates the arrival of the new crop after the harvest.
- Respect for Agriculture and Livestock:
The hard work of farmers and livestock is appreciated.
- Social Harmony:
This festival gives the message of love and unity in family and society.