Mattu Pongal (Cattle-Honour Day)

Nandi (Shiva's bull) and the household cattle

Shaiva Siddhanta

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Mattu Pongal — the second day of the Pongal cluster, dedicated to cattle and to Nandi (Shiva's bull). Cattle are bathed, decorated with turmeric, garlands and bells, fed sakkarai pongal and fresh grass, and worshipped with arati. Jallikattu (bull-embracing) is held in many Tamil villages on this day.

Dates 2026–2027

January 15, 2026

Mantra

ॐ नन्दिकेश्वराय नमः

Om Nandikeshvaraya Namaha

Salutations to Nandikeshvara, the bull-vahana of Lord Shiva and the foremost of his ganas.

How to recite

Mattu Pongal is observed on the second day of the Pongal cluster as a thanksgiving to cattle — Nandi (Shiva's bull) and every cow, bull, and bullock that supports the household. The cattle are bathed at sunrise, their horns are washed and painted with turmeric and kumkum, garlanded with bells and flowers, fed sakkarai pongal and fresh grass, and worshipped with arati. No yoke or plough-work is asked of them today.

Benefits

Mattu Pongal honours Nandi as the prototype of all cattle and as the closest gana of Shiva. Worship of cattle on this day grants the household prosperity (cattle being the original measure of wealth in Tamil Shaiva society), the blessings of Nandi, and the merit of Go-puja — extolled in the Skanda Purana.

✦ Special Note

Per the Thirukanthika Panchangam — always the day after Thai Pongal. In rural Tamil Nadu, Jallikattu (bull-embracing sport) and Manju Virattu (bull-chasing) are held in many villages today as part of the Mattu Pongal observance. Dates per the Thirukanthika Panchangam (Tamil Shaiva almanac, Chennai reckoning).

Foods Allowed

Sakkarai pongal and ven pongal — offered first to the cattle, then to the familyFresh grass, jaggery, banana, coconut — fed to the cattle as the day's blessingSundal, vada, payasam — Pongal-cluster prasadam

Foods to Avoid

Meat, fish, eggs, alcoholOnion and garlic in the naivedyamAny cruelty to or yoke-work asked of the cattle on this day

Meal Idea

Sakkarai pongal and ven pongal offered first to the cattle, then to Nandi at the local Shiva temple, then to the family; fresh grass, banana, coconut and jaggery for the cattle through the day.

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