Pongal-Legends, Significance and Celebrations

Legends of Pongal Festival

Two most popular legends behind Pongal festival are stories related to Lord Shiva and Lord Indra.

1. Legend One
Once upon a time, Lord Shiva told his bull, Nandi, to go to the earth and tell earth inhabitants to have an oil massage and bath every day and to eat once a month.  Unwittingly, Nandi announced opposite to what Lord Shiva told him to tell. He said that everyone should eat daily and have an oil bath once a month. This mistake enraged Shiva who then cursed Nandi. Nandi was banished from Kailash part to live on the earth forever to plough the fields and help people produce more food. Thus, Pongal is  associated with cattle.

2. Legend Two
Lord Krishna decided to teach a lesson to arrogant Lord Indra. Lord Krishna instructed all the cowherds to stop worshiping Lord Indra. This enraged Lord Indra and sent forth his clouds for 3 days continuous rains. Lord Krishna lifted Mountain Govardhan on his finger to save all the humans. Later, Lord Indra realized his mistake and divine power of Krishna.

How is Pongal Celebrated?

Pongal is not a one day festival and lasts for four days times. Each day has different way of celebration.

1. The Bhogi festival-The first day of Pongal

The first day of Pongal celebration is known as The Bhogi festival, a day dedicated to worshipping Lord Indra, the lord of rain, the day is also known as Indrian. This day marks the beginning of the new calendar of south India.

This day is to celebrate to bring newness to life, disposing of every clutter of life, in the form of feelings or commodities. Old and unused things are burnt in a bonfire made from wood, cow dung as fuel, replacing them with new things (Bhogi Mantalu). It is a time that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring (Vasant).

People make their houses, premises, ships and offices spic and span, decorate them with Kolam, a form of drawing that is drawn by using newly harvested rice flour, chalk, chalk powder or rock powder or naturally or synthetically coloured powders.

In India, we believe in everything, to begin with, the name of God. People harvest paddy crops on this day, but before this, a special puja is performed. A whole plate of traditional foods are offered to the God, most of it is made out of rice or jaggery. Farmers worship the sun and the earth by anointing their ploughs and sickles with sandalwood paste. It is with these consecrated tools that the newly-harvested rice is cut. In Andhra Pradesh, this day is celebrated by girls burning their old clothes and wearing the new ones after an oil massage and bath.

2. Thai/ Surya Pongal/ Perum – The second day

Khichdi is cooked in pot, Pongal Palai. Cashew, raisins, salt, black pepper etc., are mixed in it. Jhichdi is made sweet or savoury. This Khichdi is called Wen Pongal or Shwet Pongal. Somewhere instead of salt, jaggery is mixed in it and is known by the name of Sharkara Pongal.

3. Mattu Pongal – The third day

Cow and bull have been graced with a special place in Hindu dharma. Their contribution is often imperceptible, Mattu Pongal is the day dedicated to raising cattle, who help a farmer to get a good harvest and nourishing milk. Prayers are offered to the bulls, cows and other farm animals. This day, cattle are given rest. Cattles are ornamented with garlands of fruits and flowers, bells, and sheaves of corn and are then worshipped and are freed to gaze around happily.

4. Kaanum Pongal – The fourth day

This is the last day of Pongal! On this day, women of the household perform a special kind of ritual. According to this ritual, a leftover of the Pongal, betel leaves, turmeric leaves, and two pieces of sugar cane are placed on the leaf. Rice balls are made to feed birds. Women perform Arati for their brothers with limestone, turmeric oil and rice.