As all Indian festivals Pongal to, have interesting legends associated
to it. Originated as a Dravidian harvest festival, it has found no
mention in Indo-Aryan Puranas. According to the popular legend, the
first day of the festival known as Bhogi Pongal was once dedicated to
Lord Indra. The child Krishna came to know of the pride and arrogance of
Indra on being the king of the deities and that he thought himself to be
the most powerful of all the beings. He thought of a plan to teach him a
lesson. When, as usual, his father an other villagers who were cowherds
by profession, were preparing for the festival and offerings to Indra,
Krishna objected and persuaded them to worship Mt Govardhan instead, as
it gave them fodder for their cattle. When Indra came to know of this,
he considered it a insult done to him by the villagers and sent
thunderous pours, storms and lightning to drown them and punish them.
However, Lord Krishna had lifted up the Govardhan Mountain on his little
finger to protect the cowherds and their cattle. The rains continued for
three days and at last Indra realized his mistake and divine power of
Lord Krishna. He promised humility and begged Krishna's forgiveness.
Since then, Krishna allowed to let the Bhogi celebrations continue in
honor of Indra. From that time onwards Pongal is celebrated.
Another legend associated to the third day of Pongal known as Mattu
Pongal involves Lord Shiva and his mount, Nandi the bull. It is believed
that Lord Shiva once ordered Nandi to go to the Earth and deliver his
message to the people that they should take oil bath every day and eat
food once a month. However, the dozing Nandi could not hear the message
right and told the people to eat everyday and take oil bath once a
month. Shiva was angry and said that due to his folly, there will be
lack of grains on the Earth and so he would have to remain on Earth to
help humans plough the fields. Mattu Pongal is also known as Kanu Pongal
and is in many ways resemble the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Bhai
Dooj of North India.
