Mattu Pongal Celebrations at Isha

Mattu Pongal, one of the most important festivals in Tamil culture, was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Isha today. Celebrations on the auspicious day included an exhibition of 23 native cattle breeds including- the Kangeyam, Kangrej, Gir, Ongol, Tharpaarkar, Thondai maadu, Vecchur, and Umbalaacheri breeds, from various Indian states and cultural performances in front of the iconic Adiyogi today. Uniquely, the world's shortest and tallest traditional cattle breeds were on display.Hundreds of people joined the celebrations, including- tribal, local villagers, farmers, Isha volunteers including-foreigners, and visitors, and participated in making the Pongal in mud pots. 

This was followed by an offering of Pongal, sugarcane, and Navadaniyams to the native cattle varieties that are reared at Isha.Isha with an aim to preserve the traditional cattle breeds has been taking care of more than 600 cows and bulls from various states.