Pongal 2024: Date, Time, Significance And Everything You Need To Know About This Tamil Festival

Pongal 2024: In the southern part of the country, Pongal is celebrated to herald the start of the harvest season. The festival commemorates the Sun's entry into the zodiac sign of Capricorn. Furthermore, it also represents the end of the winter season. This year, the Pongal festival will be observed from 15th to 18th January 2024. Let us check out other significant details about the festival further. 

Pongal has been around for more than 2,000 years. Many think that the celebration was observed during the time of the Chola Empire (Image Source: Freepik) 

Pongal 2024: Date And Time 

Bhogi Pongal will kick off the four-day festivity on January 15. January 16 is Surya Pongal the following day. On January 17, people celebrate Mattu Pongal, and on January 18, people celebrate Kaanum Pongal, the last day. On Monday, January 15, the sunrise is at 7:14 AM, while on Bhogi Pongal, the sunset is at 5:57 AM. On the first day, the Sankranti muhurat will start at 2:45 AM. 

- Pongal Day 1, 15th January 2024 (Bhogi Pongal) - Bhogi Pongal, the first day of the festival, falls on the last day of the Tamil month of Margazhi. People buy new goods and burn undesired, outdated household things on this day. 

- Pongal Day 2, 16th January 2024 (Surya/Perum Pongal) - People worship the Sun God and his consorts, Chaya and Samgnya, on the second day, which is the main celebration day. It is also the first day of the Tamil month of Tai. Kolams, drawings made with red clay and rice flour, are used by people to adorn their homes on this day.

- Pongal Day 3, 17th January 2024 (Mattu Pongal) - The name Mattu Pongal, which translates to "cattle," refers to the third day. Cattle are revered on this day because it is thought that they will provide a bountiful harvest. The cattle's horns are painted, and they are also adorned with floral garlands. 

- Pongal Day 4, 18th January 2024 (Kanum Pongal) - The event culminates with the celebration of Kanum Pongal. On this occasion, people visit friends and relatives, exchange gifts, indulge in dancing, and hold competitions to tame bulls. 

Pongal 2024: Significance Of This Festival 

Without the Pongal dish, after which the festival is called, the famous celebration would not be complete. An additional intriguing aspect of the occasion is that it falls on the same day as Makar Sankranti, the festival of kites that also honours crop harvesting. Pongal is a festival dedicated to the Sun God, and blessings are requested through prayer. Seeking blessings is said to contribute to happiness, wealth, and a substantial crop yield.  

Pongal 2024: Legends Surrounding This Harvest Festival 

Numerous tales are connected to the celebration of the Pongal festival:

One is the story of how, on the first day of Pongal i.e. Bhogi, Lord Krishna raised the Govardhan Mountain with his little finger to save people and livestock from the fury of Lord Indra. Another tells of Lord Shiva's miracle of making an image of an elephant made of stone devouring a piece of sugarcane.

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The other one is about Nandi, the bull of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva sent his bull Nandi on the third day of Pongal to instruct people to eat once a month and take an oil bath every day. Nandi advised people to take a monthly bath and eat every day. Pongal evolved into a harvest celebration when the enraged Lord Shiva sent Nandi to Earth to assist people in harvesting more food.

(Disclaimer: This is based on general public information. Jagran English does not confirm its veracity. Before adopting any measures, consult an expert from the relevant field.)