Tamil Sangam-age poems dating back to roughly the 3rd century give us insight into the cultural and social life of early Tamils. It contains hundreds of poems belonging to the Ainthinai classification. According to Ainthinai, the Tamil land was divided into five landscapes. Of them is Marutham, the agricultural belt. Texts that speak about this region chronicle the prosperity and celebrations of it. Pongal, a harvest festival, is a continuation of this rich Marutham tradition.

Pongal today is celebrated as a four-day festival. The first day is known as the Bhogi Pandigai. Bhogi is another name for Lord Indira, the primary god of the agrarian landscape Marutham. It could be reminiscent of the Indira Vizha quoted in famous 6th century Tamil epics Silappathikaram and Manimegali. The main activities during Bhogi are cleaning and burning old goods and Kappu Kattuthal. The tradition of burning goods cannot be found in ancient literary texts, probably it could have cropped up as part of the cleaning process in later days. But the process of Kappu Kattuthal (tying on protection) is an ancient practice. Just like how Mango leaves, Neem , Poolai and Aavaram flowers are tied in front of the house as Kappu (protection) now during Bhogi, Sangam texts like Agananooru speak about leaves and flowers used as Kappu. This is mainly done to protect us from dangerous insects.

The next day is the main Pongal harvest festival where we thank the sun god .Though the exact replica of this cannot be found in Sangam texts ,there are many songs that praise the sun and nature asking for prosperous crops which bring out the scenario of Pongal festival. Along with locally grown vegetables and sugarcane, Sakkarai (sweet) Pongal brimming in new Ponga Panai (Pongal pot) form an important part of the ritualistic offering to sun god. The tradition of offering Pongal is spoken in many sangam texts. Pongal offered during this occasion is done with a new vessel and people shout out saying ‘Pongalo Pongal’ once rice boils and starts to overflow. In the 9th century work, Seevagasinthamani we can see a similar description of girls making Pongal in new vessels with its foam overflowing. Silappathikaram also mentions Pongal being one of the offerings given during Indira Vizha. Andal at the end of her Margazhi (month before Thai) penance asks Lord Kirshna for sweet Pongal to consume. Many inscriptions also talk about the religious Pongal offering, there is even one 17th century inscription that details its preparation. Inclusion of sugarcane could be because they are found to be planted mostly near the paddy fields.

Activities like ploughing and harvest were considered important in Marutham and other landscapes that had cultivation. With appropriate rituals, ploughing was done on an auspicious day mostly on a full moon day. It was called ‘Ponner Puttuthal’ or ‘Naller Puttuthal’. Silappathikaram calls this ceremony ‘Er Mangalam’. On this occasion, ploughs and cattle are decorated with flowers and ploughing is started along with songs. Initially this auspicious activity was said to be done by women folk which later got replaced by the chief. Today, after machines replacing the cattle in ploughing activities, this ceremony has lost its importance. But on the third day ‘Mattu Pongal,’ the festival of today honors the cattle. Cattle and Tamilians have enjoyed a special bond, it was the main wealth of our ancestors, that’s why they named the cow as ‘Madu’ meaning wealth. Mullai the forest landscape was where an ancient Tamil pastoral community lived. One important practice that occurred in Mullai was the ‘Yeru Thazhuvuthal’ or ‘Jallikattu’. Sangam literature Kalithogai and Silappathikaram carry elaborate descriptions of this sport. This ancient game is still practiced in many regions of Tamil Nadu on the day of Mattu Pongal apart from the other rituals of dressing and praying the cattle for their services.

Rejoicing with acquaintances is the main part of any festival and the last day of the celebration ‘Kanum Pongal’ is completely dedicated to this.

There are many inscriptions that mention about the Pongal festival from the 10th century. One of the important ones can be found in the historic temple of Thiruvotriyur in Chennai. This inscription belongs to the period of Rajendra Chola and refers to Pongal as ‘Puthu Yeedu’,meaning first crop. From this, we can understand that Pongal was called ‘Puthu Yeedu’ during the Chola period. In other inscriptions Pongal is mentioned as ‘Sankranthi’ or ‘Thaithirunaal’.

During the early 19th century, the British Governor of Madras Presidency, William Bentick, had declared a holiday for Pongal and Mattu Pongal. Probably, he was the first one to declare a holiday for this multi-day festival! He also ordered a gun salute to honour the festival.

After independence, all governments have added glory to this thanksgiving festival. Festivals like Pongal have a lot of significance in today’s busy world – to create a time to think and thank nature. They indirectly emphasize the need to appreciate and safeguard them for the next generation.