Chennai | Jan 16, 2026

Tamil Nadu on Friday celebrated Mattu Pongal, the second day of the harvest festival, with rituals and festivities dedicated to cows and bulls, acknowledging their invaluable role in agriculture and rural prosperity. The celebrations highlight the deep bond between farmers and their livestock, which has sustained agrarian communities for generations.

The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, one of the most iconic landmarks in the state, hosted elaborate Mattu Pongal events. Over 100 cows were brought for the Gho Pooja, a ceremonial worship, where they were offered prayers, adorned with flower garlands, bells, beads, and given ceremonial baths. A distinctive feature of the festivities was the painting of cattle horns in bright shades of blue, red, and yellow, often finished with shining metal caps, reflecting both devotion and local artistry.

Across towns and villages, farmers prepared special pots of Sakkarai Pongal, a sweet rice dish, and offered it to their livestock alongside sugarcane and bananas, celebrating the animals’ contributions to farming and rural life. Women also observed the traditional ‘kanupidi’ ritual, placing colored rice on turmeric leaves for birds and crows while praying for the longevity and well-being of their brothers.

Addressing the celebrations, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin highlighted the symbiotic relationship between farmers and their cattle during the ‘Samuthuva Pongal’ celebrations at the Secretariat on January 14. He commended the farming community and emphasized that his government’s welfare schemes aim to ensure that rural families can celebrate the harvest season with dignity and prosperity.

Similarly, Governor R. N. Ravi underscored the sacred place of cattle in Indian culture in his Pongal message, describing Mattu Pongal as a tribute to the indispensable role of cows and bulls in agriculture and rural life. He framed the celebrations as part of the broader concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, linking Tamil local traditions to India’s national cultural and spiritual heritage.

The four-day Pongal festival will conclude on January 17 with Kaanum Pongal, traditionally reserved for family reunions, picnics, and visits to scenic landmarks such as Chennai’s Marina Beach. Across the state, the celebrations have continued to blend devotion, cultural pride, and community bonding, keeping centuries-old traditions alive while honouring the essential role of agriculture and livestock in Tamil life.