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Pongal Festival is Celebrated for Four Days

Day 1:

The first day is celebrated as Bhogi festival in honor of Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of clouds that give rains. Homage is paid to Lord Indra for the abundance of harvest, thereby bringing plenty and prosperity to the land. Another ritual observed on this day is Bhogi Mantalu, when useless household articles are thrown into a fire made of wood and cow-dung cakes.

Day 2:

On the second day of "Thai Pongal" ("தை பொங்கல்") , the puja or act of ceremonial worship is performed when rice is boiled in milk outdoors in a earthenware pot and is then symbolically offered to the sun-god along with other oblations. In accordance with the appointed ritual a turmeric plant is tied around the pot in which the rice will be boiled. The offerings include the two sticks of sugar-cane in background and coconut and bananas etc.,

Day 3:

The third day is known as "Mattu Pongal" or "Thiruvalluvar Day" ("திருவள்ளுவர் தினம்"), the day of Pongal for cows. Multi-colored beads, tinkling bells, sheaves of corn and flower garlands are tied around the neck of the cattle and then are worshiped. They are fed with Pongal and taken to the village centers. The resounding of their bells attract the villagers as the young men race each other's cattle this festival is very famous in "Alanganallur" as "Jallikattu" ("ஜல்லிக்கட்டி")- which is bull-baiting or bull cuddling/holding, is a Tamil tradition called "Yeru thazhuvuthal".

Day 4:

The Fourth day is known as Knau or Kannum Pongal or "Uzhavar Thirunal" ("உழவர் திருநாள்") . During this day city peoples used to visit "Marina Beach" and other famous places along with their family and friends to celebrate this day with most fun-filled day. On this day, a turmeric leaf is washed and is then placed on the ground.All the women, young and old, of the house assemble in the courtyard. The rice is placed in the centre of the leaf, while the women ask that the house and family of their brothers should prosper. Arati is performed for the brothers with turmeric water, limestone and rice, and this water is sprinkled on the kolam in front of the house.

As per Tamil Calendar Thai Pongal is celebrated on the first day of the month. This Tamil festival is considered to be the day of farmer "Thanks Saying" to the natural force, the Lord Sun (Surya), the farm animals which is been helped the whole year for giving successful crop yield(harvest).

Apart from farmers the other peoples are celebrating this festival as "Thanks Saying" to "Farmers for the Production of Food". Most importantly this festival is considered to the common ceremony which is celebrated to bring unity among the peoples.

Tamilians say "Thai pirandhaal vazhi pirakkum" ("தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்"), and believe that knotty family problems will be solved with the advent of the Tamil month Thai that begins on Pongal day. This is traditionally the month of weddings. This is not a surprise in a largely agricultural community - the riches gained from a good harvest form the economic basis for expensive family occasions like weddings.

Do's

Keep your house clean.
Should say thanks to farmer for the production of food.
Should say thanks to farm animals which gave assistance for harvesting Process.
Must observe fast for Lord Surya Bhagavan as saying thanks to sun.
Prepare Pongal and serve to poor peoples.

Don't s

Avoid eating Non-Veg during this very auspicious day.
Avoid harming animals.
Don't drink any alcohol or wrongdoings while observing fast.