When is Pongal 2024: Dates, Rituals, Celebration

Pongal 2024: The most significant harvest festival in Tamil Nadu is known as Thai Pongal. It honors the Sun God’s benefits, which result in a bountiful harvest and overall prosperity. Its name is derived from the unique confection that is meticulously prepared and presented to the deity of veneration on this particular day.

Pongal and the festival of Makar Sankranti, which is observed across India, occur simultaneously.

Attukal Pongala 2023 in Kerala: Date, Significance of 10-Day Malayalam Festival

When does Pongal occur?

Pongal is observed during the Thai month of the Tamil calendar. It commences on the final day of the month of Margazhi and concludes on the third day of Thai. The festival spans four days. Consistent with the Gregorian calendar, it occurs annually from January 13th to the 16th.

The backstory of Pongal

The most renowned Pongal tale is the one involving Lord Krishna in Gokula. Indignant, the rain god, Lord Indra, flooded Gokula. Lord Krishna intervened to deliver the villagers by lowering the formidable Govardhana Mountain onto his minuscule finger. In the end, Lord Indra beseeched pardon and restored prosperity to the Gokula people.

An additional narrative pertains to Nandi, the renowned bovine associated with Lord Shiva. The deity once gave Nandi the task of spreading the message that people should take daily baths and only eat once a month. However, Nandi did the exact opposite. He believed that “humans ought to consume food daily and bathe no more than once per month.” This infuriated Lord Shiva, who then commanded Nandi to remain on Earth and assist humanity in harvesting sufficient food to sustain them daily.

Four-Day Pongal Rituals in 2024

The Pongal celebration spans four days. The festivities commence on the initial day as Bhogi Pongal and conclude as Kaanum Pongal. Important Pongal 2023 dates include the following:

Bhogi Pongal is observed on January 14, the first day of the festival.

This day is in homage to the deity Indra. On this day, individuals ignite bonfires in front of their residences, simulating the Lohri festival in Punjab, where they dispose of all worn-out clothing and other items in the sacred blaze. Kolams are adorning and cleaning the dwellings; they are composed of rice flour paste and scarlet mud. For decorative purposes, pumpkin flowers and cow dung cakes are also employed.

The 15th of January, the second day, is observed as Surya Pongal.

Observed on the first day of ‘Thai’, this day is devoted to the Sun God and is known in other regions of India as Makar Sankranti. The ‘Pongal’ is a traditional sweet dish prepared by boiling rice and legumes in jaggery and milk. For devotional purposes, this is presented to the Lord, and enormous statues of the Sun God are erected above the ground.

Mattu Pongal is observed on January 16, the third day of the festival.

This day is devoted to cattle, which are regarded as an essential component of agricultural society. In addition to being showered with flowers and decorations, the cows and oxen are bathed in the ‘Pongal’ that was prepared for their devotion. On this day, bullfights are organized in celebration of the Pongal festival.

Kaanum Pongal also referred to as Kanya Pongal occurs on January 17, the fourth day.

Sisters engage in prayer for the well-being and health of their siblings on this day. On this day, cooked rice is also presented to the birds and fowl in the form of small morsels.

Authentic, renowned Pongal Dishes

A gathering of food unites joy, health, blessings, and prosperity. Bless your Pongal with knowledge of a multitude of traditional Pongal recipes that will satisfy your hunger. These are authentic recipes culled directly from the cookbooks of an elderly matriarch. Construct them and savor the reverent atmosphere of Traditional Pongal.

Important Timings On Pongal 2024