Even though I reside in Bangalore, my ancestral roots are in Chennai, as my parents and grandparents have been living here for more than 50 years now. Coming from a Tamil family, the festival of Pongal has always been close to my heart. Since it was a long weekend this year during Pongal, I decided to fly to Chennai and celebrate the harvest festival with my family.
As I could not control my excitement, I booked the early morning flight and reached the airport around 7 am. My journey to the airport was extremely convenient as I chose to book a top rated airport taxi in Bangalore. I landed in Chennai in no time, and I was brimming with joy to be back in the city where I spent my entire childhood. As soon as I reached home, I got emotional to see my parents and grandparents, who were busy decorating our home for Pongal celebrations.
While Pongal is celebrated in every part of our country in different forms, it holds immense significance in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is a famous harvest festival celebrated with religious fervour. Dedicated to Sun God, it is a four-day celebratory festival that usually starts on 14th January every year.
Pongal celebrations in Chennai
In Chennai, we celebrate Pongal with great zeal and ardour to welcome the new harvesting year ahead. We begin the initial festival day by visiting temples and seeking the blessings of the Almighty. Upon reaching home from the temple, I made traditional Kolam at our house entrance while my mother prepared ‘Chakkara Pongal and Ven Pongal’ that we offer to the sun god.
During the afternoon, we visit our near and dear ones to wish them ‘Happy Pongal’ and exchange sweets and gifts with them. Since Pongal is a four-day festival in Chennai, here is a brief overview of the Pongal celebrations.
Day 1: Bhogi Pongal or Bhogi Pandigai
The first day of our Pongal celebration in Chennai is known as Bhogi Pongal or Bhogi Pandigai. As this auspicious day marks the end of Tamil month Margazhi, we light a bonfire made of cow dung and wood to burn the unused household items. Also, people offer their prayers to Lord Indra, the God of rains, clean and decorate their home and hope for abundant rains during the year ahead.
Day 2: Thai Pongal or Surya Pongal
The second day of the harvest festival is Thai Pongal or Surya Pongal and is the primary festivity of the Pongal Festival. This day marks the beginning of Tamil month Thai, also known as Makara Sankranti, across India. Dedicated to Lord Sun, this day marks the beginning of the Uttarayana when the sun enters the Makara (Capricorn) zodiac.
On this day, we prepare a sweet dish, ‘Pongal’, in a classic earthen pot using freshly harvested rice grains, jaggery and milk. This dish is then allowed to overflow out of the vessel, signifying the wish of prosperous fortunes in the coming year.
Day 3: Mattu Pongal
The third day of the Pongal festival is known as Mattu Pongal, which honours cows and their piousness. On this day, we decorate our cattle with bells and flower garlands, paint their horns and worship them.
Day 4: Kanya Pongal or Kaanum Pongal
Kanya Pongal or Kaanum Pongal marks the end of the Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu. On this day, young girls and women perform a special ritual known as ‘Kanu Pidi’ where they pray for the good health of their brothers.
If you wish to witness the vibrant Pongal festival in the city, book a reliable car rental in Chennai with a local driver and discover the unique and extraordinary festival of South India.
