Pongal 2023: Date, history, significance, story behind festival

Pongal 2023 Date, Significance: Pongal is a Harvest festival mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu. This year, Pongal will be celebrated from January 15 to January 18. 

The first day of the celebration is known as Bhogi Pongal which is also the last day of the Tamil month Margazhi. On this day, people burn their old and unwanted household items and buy new products.

The second day, called Perum Pongal or Surya Pongal, is the main festive day when people worship the Sun God and his companions, Chaya and Samgnya. It is also the first day of the Tamil month Tai. On this day, people decorate their houses with Kolams – designs drawn using rice flour and red clay.

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The third day is called Mattu Pongal where Mattu means cattle. On this day, cattle are worshipped as they are believed to give a good harvest. The cattle are also decorated with flower garland and horns are painted.

The last day of the festival is Kanum Pongal which is celebrated. People celebrate it visiting friends and family, exchanging gifts and indulging in dancing and bull taming contests.

Significance of Pongal 

The iconic festival is incomplete with the Pongal dish after which the festival is named. Another interesting thing is, this festival coincides with the festival of kites, Makar Sankranti which also celebrates crop harvesting. Pongal is dedicated to God Sun and prayers are offered to seek blessings. According to beliefs, seeking blessing helps in good crop yield, prosperity and happiness. 

History of Pongal 

Some say that the history of Pongal dates back to over 2000 years. People believe that in the ancient Chola Empire days also the festival was celebrated.

Also, Pongal is considered to be an ancient celebration, dating to the Sangam Age from 200 BC to 300 AD. It's originally a Dravidian harvest festival but finds mention in Sanskrit Puranas too.

Story behind Pongal 

There are many stories associated with the festival:

One is where Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain on his little finger on the first day of Pongal, Bhogi, to protect people and cattle from the wrath of Lord Indra. 

Another is about a miracle that Lord Shiva performed, where he made a stone image of an elephant eat a piece of sugarcane.

The third one is about lord Shiva’s bull Nandi. On the third day of Pongal, lord Shiva sent his bull Nandi to tell people to have oil bath daily and eat once a month. Nandi told people to eat daily and bathe once a month. After that, furious Lord Shiva sent Nandi on Earth to help humans harvest more food and that is when Pongal became a harvest festival.

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