Isha celebrates Pongal with native cattle breeds and traditional folk arts

The "Pongal Festival" was celebrated with grandeur yesterday and today at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, in front of the iconic Adiyogi. The vibrant event featured an exhibition of native cattle breeds and captivating traditional folk performances, drawing visitors from all over.
Pongal celebrations at Isha are an annual tradition, marked by festivity and splendour. This year’s festivities commenced with the traditional cooking of pongal in clay pots. Thousands, including tribal communities from nearby regions, volunteers, and ashram residents, joined hands to prepare pongal and partake in the celebrations.
As a mark of gratitude to cattle for their indispensable role in agriculture, special rituals were conducted for the native breeds nurtured at Isha.
A key highlight of the event was an exhibition showcasing 23 native cattle breeds, including Kangayam, Ongole, Kankrej, Umblachery, and Gir. Isha Gaushala, home to over 700 native cattle, played a central role in this exhibition.
The evening saw a lively display of Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage through folk performances by the Thoothukudi Sakka Art Troupe. Enthralling the audience were traditional arts like Oyilattam, Paraiattam, Karagattam, and seven other folk dance forms.