Pongal Festival 2026

Full Date

14 January 2026 Morning 6:50 AM – 17 January 2026 Evening 7:00 PM

Muhurat Timings in India

• Bhogi Pongal

  The first day dedicated to Lord Indra and fire cleansing rituals marking new beginnings.

  14 January 2026 4:00 AM – 14 January 2026 10:00 PM

• Thai Pongal

  The principal day devoted to Surya Dev; Pongal dish is prepared and offered during sunrise.

  15 January 2026 6:30 AM – 15 January 2026 7:00 PM

• Mattu Pongal

  Cattle are bathed, decorated, and worshipped for their contribution in farming.

  16 January 2026 7:00 AM – 16 January 2026 6:00 PM

• Kaanum Pongal

  Families visit relatives, exchange gifts, and end the festival with community feasts.

  17 January 2026 8:00 AM – 17 January 2026 7:00 PM

Introduction

Pongal is a four-day Tamil harvest festival that expresses gratitude to nature, the Sun, and cattle for a bountiful harvest. The festival marks the beginning of the Tamil month Thai and coincides with the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara Rashi).

Other Names

Thai Pongal, Bhogi, Mattu Pongal, Kaanum Pongal

Pooja Vidhi

• Clean and decorate the house with fresh kolams early morning.
• Light a lamp in front of Surya Dev and place an earthen pot filled with rice, milk, and jaggery.
• Allow the mixture to boil and overflow while saying prayers for prosperity.
• Offer the prepared Pongal dish to the Sun along with sugarcane and flowers.
• Share Pongal prasad with family, neighbors, and community members.

Rituals

• Boil freshly harvested rice with milk and jaggery in a new earthen pot during sunrise.
• Let the pot overflow while chanting 'Pongalo Pongal' to welcome prosperity.
• Offer cooked Pongal to Surya Dev along with sugarcane, turmeric, and coconut.
• Decorate houses with kolams (rice flour rangoli) and tie mango leaves to doorways.
• Worship cattle on Mattu Pongal and seek blessings for agricultural success.

Regional Highlights

• Celebrated across Tamil Nadu with kolams, cattle processions, and community feasts.
• In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, observed as Sankranti festival with similar rituals.
• Suriya Pongal in rural areas dedicated to Sun God with prayers in open fields.
• Sugarcane, turmeric, and cows are honored as symbols of prosperity.

History

Pongal has been celebrated in Tamil Nadu for over 2000 years, with references dating back to the Chola period. Rooted in agrarian tradition, it symbolizes abundance and prosperity. The word 'Pongal' means 'boiling over,' signifying overflowing prosperity and gratitude to the Sun God.

Additional Information

• Marks the Tamil New Year according to the solar calendar.
• Symbolizes gratitude to nature and agricultural prosperity.
• Celebrated globally by Tamil communities in Sri Lanka, Singapore, and beyond.