Cow Pongal Day
Mattu Pongal is a traditional festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu as part of the larger Pongal festival. Pongal is a harvest festival that typically takes place in mid-January and spans four days. Mattu Pongal, specifically, is dedicated to expressing gratitude and honoring cattle, particularly cows and bulls, for their role in agriculture and farming
The word "Mattu" in Tamil refers to cattle, and on this day, farmers pay tribute to their livestock for their hard work in the fields. The celebration involves decorating the cattle with colorful beads, flowers, and bells. Special rituals are performed, including applying turmeric and kumkum (vermilion) on the foreheads of the animals. The cattle are also fed a special mixture of ingredients as a gesture of appreciation.
Apart from the festivities related to cattle, Mattu Pongal is marked by traditional activities such as cooking the Pongal dish, which is a special dish made with newly harvested rice, jaggery, and other ingredients. Families gather to prepare and share this dish as a symbol of abundance and prosperity