HinduCalendar.in New Delhi

Maattu Pongal

Also called Mattu Pongal

When

Saturday, 16 January 2027 in 128 days

New Delhi ยท change location

Sunrise7:19 AM
Sunset5:42 PM
Ashtami until 1:43 PM
Ashwini until 11:38 PM
9:54 AM โ€“ 11:12 AM

See the complete panchang for that day โ†’

Why this date?

Thai 2 โ€” the day after Thai Pongal, the third of the four Pongal days.

  • Computed by the panchanga engine for your location
  • Follows a written selection rule, not a copied list
  • Governed by the whole day rather than a specific period
  • The written guide has not yet been reviewed by a named scholar

Dates come from the calculation engine and are independent of the written guide. How we calculate โ†’

Dates in the coming years

Published to 2030. Later years appear as the dataset is extended and validated.

This is not commonly observed in North India, the region you've set. It is kept in Tamil Nadu (Tamil). We show it rather than hide it โ€” a calendar that only shows you your own region tells you less about the country you live in, not more.

What In short

The cattle's day. Cows and bulls are bathed, their horns painted and garlanded, and they are fed the pongal first. Jallikattu is held in parts of the state on or around this day.

Why The reason behind it

The harvest just celebrated was drawn by these animals, and the day places them ahead of the household in the order of thanks. The bull is honoured, not merely used โ€” which is the reasoning behind both the garlanding and, in the towns that hold it, the contest.

Traditional basis

Tamil Pongal sequence โ€” Maattu Pongal as the third day, dedicated to cattle.

Sangam literature on eru thazhuvuthal โ€” The bull-embracing contest from which jallikattu descends.

How At home, step by step

  1. Bathe the cattle; paint the horns and garland them.
  2. Feed them the pongal before the household eats.
  3. Attend the jallikattu where it is held.
What you'll need
  • Paint for the horns, and garlands
  • Pongal for the cattle
  • Turmeric and kumkum
Fasting and breaking the fast

Not a fasting day.

Fasting guidance here describes traditional practice. It is not medical advice โ€” if you are pregnant, diabetic, on medication or unwell, ask a doctor about your own circumstances.

Personal In your region

For children

The cows' day. They get a bath, their horns painted bright colours, flower garlands, and they eat the pongal before anybody else does.

Common questions

Is Maattu Pongal the same as Govatsa Dwadashi?
Both honour cattle, and they are different observances in different months โ€” Maattu Pongal is the third Pongal day in Thai, Govatsa Dwadashi opens the Diwali week in Kartik.

Not the same day

These fall nearby or share the tithi, and are often confused with this observance. They are separate, and this site dates them separately.

This guide has not yet been reviewed by a named scholar or practising priest. The dates and times on this page come from the calculation engine and are independent of it; the explanatory text is editorial and may not reflect your family's practice. Tell us if something is wrong.