Popngal celebrations at Tamil Nadu House, New Delhi.

Mattu Pongal is made up of two words; 'Mattu' in Tamil means "cow". Pongal, also in Tamil Language, literally means "boiled rice" (a rice and lentil dish) but metaphorically means prosperity. The Pongal festival also represents celebration of "fertility and renewal" and is observed either for three days or four-days, after the end of the monsoon season and rice (paddy) crop is harvested.

According to a legend linked to Mattu Pongal, god Shiva sent his bull Nandi (mount of Shiva and his gate keeper) from heaven to the earth to give his message to people that they should have an oil bath every day and eat once a month. Instead, Nandi wrongly advised people to take an oil bath once a month and eat every day. Shiva was annoyed with this advice related to food and in fit of rage, banished Nandi to permanently live on earth and help the farmers to produce the extra food crops needed for people to eat every day.

Source: Wikipedia

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