Pongal 2024: Know the Date, Time, and Significance of this Festival
Pongal is one of the first festivals to be observed in the year 2024, and it falls in the month of January. Pongal is a four-day holiday that is widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu. The harvest festival takes place in the Tamil calendar month of ‘Thai,’ which is the tenth month. This is why some people refer to it as ‘Thai Pongal.’ It also falls on the same day as other harvest festivals around India, such as Makar Sankranti and Bihu. Pongal, like any other Hindu festival, is all about getting together with loved ones and eating great food.
This year’s Thai Pongal will be held on January 15th, 2024. This is the second day of the four-day event, which begins on Friday. This year’s Thai Pongal Sankranti is set to take place at 2:43 p.m.
The first day of Pongal is known as Bhogi, and it will be observed on January 14th, 2024. It falls on Lohri, the Punjabi harvest festival. On this day, it is usual to clean up your house and get rid of any unnecessary items.
Mattu Pongal, the third day of Pongal, is dedicated to cattle worship. Cattle are bathed, decorated, and fed well as a way for farmers to express gratitude for their assistance and participation in farming tasks. The fourth and last day of Pongal is known as Kaanum Pongal, and it is mostly used for family gatherings and the celebratory meal Pongal Bhojanam, which is prepared with freshly harvested grains.
Pongal 2024 Dates
| Pongal 2024 | Date |
| Bhogi Festival / Thai Pongal |
Sun, Jan 14, 2024 |
| Surya Pongal |
Mon, Jan 15, 2024 |
| Mattu Pongal |
Tue, Jan 16, 2024 |
| Kaanum Pongal |
Wed, Jan 17, 2024 |
Story Behind Pongal
The most well-known legend surrounding Pongal is the one about Krishna in Gokula. The god of rain, Indra, became enraged and inundated Gokula. The villagers were rescued by Lord Krishna, who lifted the massive Govardhana Mountain on his little finger. The people of Gokula were blessed with wealth after Lord Indra sought forgiveness.
Nandi, the legendary bull of Lord Shiva, is the hero of yet another tale. Once upon a time, a divinity requested that Nandi travel to Earth to teach the gospel of a monthly fast and an everyday bath. Contrarily, Nandi did the exact reverse. “Humans should eat every day and take a bath only once a month,” he preached. This infuriated Lord Shiva, who therefore sent Nandi back to Earth to assist humanity in harvesting crops so that they would always have food.
Significance Of Pongal 2024
‘Pong’ is a Tamil term that signifies to boil or overflow. Pongal is celebrated by boiling milk and rice in an earthenware jar till it overflows. The day of Pongal also coincides with the sun’s passage to the north, known as Uttarayan. This time is thought to be highly lucky.
Devotees worship the Sun God, or Lord Surya, as part of the Pongal celebrations. People clean and decorate their homes, buy new utensils and costumes, and participate in traditional dances.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the rituals of Pongal?
The pongal sweet dish is created to commemorate the event, and it is first served to the gods and goddesses (goddess Pongal), then to cows, and last to the family. Cows and their horns are decorated, ritual bathing is performed, and processions are held as part of the festivities.
2. What is the purpose of celebrating Pongal?
Thai Pongal is another name for Pongal. Pongal literally means “overflowing” or “boiling.” This has the appearance of riches and success. Pongal is a festival that honours God for bringing a plentiful harvest throughout the year.
3. Who celebrated Pongal?
Pongal is a Hindu festival that is widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu. Pongal is a four-day holiday in which the second day is known as Thai Pongal or Sankranti, which in the north is known as Makar Sankranti.
4. Is Onam and Pongal same?
Other Onam attractions include the Kaikottikali folk group dance, Thumbi Thullal dance, and Onakalikal (playing indoor-outdoor games). Pongal is a four-day harvest festival in the Indian subcontinent. Pongal is a dish made by boiling rice with milk and using the first paddy harvested.
5. What is Pongal called in Kerala?
Pongala is a Kerala and Tamil Nadu harvest festival. The traditional sacrifice of porridge comprised of rice, sweet brown molasses, coconut gratings, almonds, and raisins is known as pongala. This rite is mostly performed by female devotees. Pongal is a Tamil New Year’s celebration.