- By Kashish Rai
- Tue, 16 Jan 2024 11:00 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pongal 2024 Day 3: For the people of Tamil Nadu, Pongal is a significant festival that lasts for four days straight. On the second day of the Thai month in the Tamil calendar, Mattu Pongal, the third day of the Pongal festivities, is observed. This year, Mattu Pongal will be celebrated on 17th January 2024. Let us check out further significant details about this festival.
Pongal 2024 Day 3: Date Of Mattu Pongal
People celebrated Bhogi Pongal and Surya Pongal on the 15th and 16th of January respectively. Since Mattu Pongal is the third day of the Pongal festivities, it will be celebrated on 17th January 2024.
The fourth day of Pongal festivities- Mattu Pongal is devoted to the worship of Cattle. (Image Source: Freepik)
Pongal 2024 Day 3: Mattu Pongal Significance
Since the Tamil word "mattu" means "the bull," the day of Mattu Pongal is devoted to celebrating cattle in general and bulls in particular because they play a crucial role in assisting farmers in growing crops. On Mattu Pongal, people unite to enjoy the new season and harvest, setting aside differences in caste, creed, or other categories. Not just in Tamil Nadu, but also in some Southern states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, people celebrate Mattu Pongal with great enthusiasm and zeal.
Pongal 2024 Day 3: Rituals Associated With Mattu Pongal
- People clean their homes and adorn the front lawn with eye-catching kolams during Pongal. They create pictures of rice on the first day, the sun god on the second, and bulls or other cattle on the day of Mattu Pongal.
- People bathe their cattle on Mattu Pongal, and they paint and adorn their horns with shining metal crowns. Their necks are adorned with flower garlands, multicoloured beads, and tinkling bells. The livestock owners sprinkle saffron water with mango leaves on their cattle and perform prayers to protect them from all dangers. They honour Lord Indra and Lord Krishna in gratitude for the increase and well-being of their herd of cattle. The cows are worshipped by people who touch their feet and foreheads. An "aarti" is performed after this ritual.
- A unique cuisine called "Sakkar Pongal" is made on the day of Mattu Pongal using moong dal, boiled rice, dry fruits, and jaggery. It is initially given to the cows, and then "cattle prasad" is shared with everyone.
- During the Pongal celebrations, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Shiva are worshipped by the Tamil people. They offer their deities various types of rice offerings, which are then given to the animals.
- The village sport known as "Manji Virattu" or "Jallikattu" is a crucial component of the Mattu Pongal festivities. Tamil Nadu's villages observe this practice with great anticipation and zeal.
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- In Jallikattu, the village's young men pursue aggressive bulls in an attempt to seize the cash bound in their horns. While in some places it is held on Kaanum Pongal, the day after Mattu Pongal, it is observed in the evening of Mattu Pongal day.
(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.)
