Pongal

Tamil

Also known as: Thai Pongal, Pongal Festival

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2026 Tamil Date

Pongal

About Pongal

Pongal is the most important harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai (January-February). It is a four-day celebration of thanksgiving to the Sun God.

The main day, Thai Pongal, involves cooking the newly harvested rice with milk and jaggery in a clay pot until it overflows, symbolising abundance and prosperity.

In Tamil Nadu, homes are decorated with colourful kolam (rangoli), and the Pongal dish is offered to the Sun God. Families gather for festive meals and exchange greetings.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated with feasting and thanksgiving rather than fasting.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Wake up early and draw colourful kolam at the entrance.
Cook Pongal (rice with milk and jaggery) in a clay pot.
Offer Pongal to the Sun God with prayers of thanksgiving.
Exchange Pongal greetings and share the festive dish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Pongal?

Pongal is a sweet dish made from newly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery. When it overflows from the pot, it symbolises abundance and prosperity for the year ahead.

Q: Why is the Sun God worshipped during Pongal?

The Sun God (Surya) is worshipped for providing energy for agriculture. Pongal is a thanksgiving festival offering the first harvest to the Sun.

Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).

Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.