Why cattle are honored
Cows and bulls support farming through milk, manure used as natural fertilizer, and traditional field work. Worship is a cultural way of acknowledging their contribution to the harvest cycle.
Go Puja traditions
Families clean and decorate cattle, offer food, apply turmeric/kumkum, tie garlands, and seek blessings for health, prosperity, and a strong next season’s yield.
Sankranti & Pongal
Makar Sankranti marks the sun’s transition and seasonal shift. In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is celebrated over multiple days, with Mattu Pongal dedicated to cattle worship.
Cow Worship on Sankranti: Reasons & Meaning
On Sankranti, cows are worshipped in many regions—especially in rural communities—because of their practical importance to farming and their symbolic place in Hindu culture.
| Theme | Details |
|---|---|
| Agricultural significance | Cows provide milk; dung is used as natural fertilizer; and oxen traditionally help with ploughing and field work. |
| Religious importance | In Hindu traditions, cows are associated with deities and are viewed as symbols of nurture and abundance. |
| Gratitude & prosperity | Farmers offer prayers to express gratitude and to seek blessings for a successful harvest and wellbeing of the household. |
| Cultural rituals | Common practices include bathing cattle, decorating with garlands/colors, feeding special meals, and community processions. |
In short, cow worship on Sankranti is a community expression of respect for the animals that sustain agricultural life—paired with prayers for abundance.
Cow Worship in Pongal: Mattu Pongal (Maatu Pongal)
In Tamil Nadu, the harvest festival Pongal is observed over multiple days, and cattle worship is central to Mattu Pongal (the “cattle day”). While Sankranti is widely known for the sun’s transition and harvest gratitude, Mattu Pongal places farm animals at the heart of the celebration—recognizing the everyday partnership between people, land, and cattle.
Typical rituals
- Bathing and grooming cattle; cleaning the cattle shed.
- Decorating horns with colors, tying garlands, and placing bells/ornaments.
- Applying turmeric and kumkum; offering prayers and incense.
- Feeding special food (often including sweet pongal, fodder, and fruits).
- Community gatherings where decorated cattle are led around the village.
Meaning & values
- Gratitude: acknowledging cattle for ploughing, transport, milk, and manure.
- Prosperity: prayers for healthy animals and productive farms.
- Stewardship: reminding communities to care for animals and the environment.
- Social cohesion: shared rituals that connect families and neighborhoods.
Manakrsankranti and Pongal context
“Makar Sankranti” and “Pongal” often fall in the same seasonal window and share a common theme: harvest gratitude. In many homes, the cow (and bull) is treated as a respected member of the farm ecosystem—so cattle worship becomes a natural, visible way to celebrate the harvest season across regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cow worship only part of Pongal?
No. Cow and cattle worship occurs in several harvest-related traditions, including Makar Sankranti celebrations in different regions. Pongal’s Mattu Pongal is one of the most explicit “cattle day” observances.
Why are bulls also honored?
Bulls and oxen have historically provided field labor, transport, and support for agricultural livelihoods. In many communities, they are honored alongside cows as part of the same gratitude tradition.
What should visitors do respectfully?
Follow local custom, ask before photographing animals/rituals, avoid interrupting prayers or processions, and treat decorated cattle calmly and with space.