Pongal is a popular harvest festival in South India. Named after a sweet rice dish, Pongal is a three day festival that starts on 14th January of each year. On the first day, Pongal is offered to bhoji or Indran (the rain gods) for providing rain for the harvest. On the second day, Pongal is offered to Sun (surya). On the third day, the family’s cattle (mattu) is cleaned and dressed up with flowers, bells and color powder. This is the day to honor the cattle’s hard work for ploughing the filelds...

Pongal is a popular harvest festival in South India. Named after a sweet rice dish, Pongal is a three day festival that starts on 14th January of each year. On the first day, Pongal is offered to bhoji or Indran (the rain gods) for providing rain for the harvest. On the second day, Pongal is offered to Sun (surya). On the third day, the family’s cattle (mattu) is cleaned and dressed up with flowers, bells and color powder. This is the day to honor the cattle’s hard work for ploughing the filelds.