The Mattu Pongal festival, a traditional Tamil celebration that has been observed for centuries, was joyously celebrated on Jan 16 in front of Adiyogi. Over three lakh people visited Isha yesterday and today to take part in the celebration.
As part of the festival, an exhibition showcasing 23 different native cow breeds bred at Isha was organized to raise awareness about endangered native cow breeds. The exhibition featured native cows from various states, including Gangeyam, Kangrij, Ongole, Gir, Tharparkar, Vechur, Mountain cow, and Thondai cow. Each breed was presented on stage, with details about its origin and characteristics explained to the audience.
Prior to the exhibition, tribal people, farmers, and Isha volunteers came together to celebrate Pongal in the traditional manner, cooking in over 50 earthen pots. The event drew a large number of local and foreign participants who enthusiastically joined in. Following the cooking, pongal, sugarcane, and grains were offered to the local cows.
In the evening, traditional Tamil games, Mallakhamba, and art performances by Isha Home School students created a festive atmosphere. Lakhs of visitors to Isha on the occasion of Mattu Pongal day enjoyed participating in the festivities, including dancing and feeding the local cows by hand. Families also took part in the sports competitions held at the event.