The festival is celebrated over four days with each day having its own significance.
Day 1: Bhogi Pandigal (January 13)
Bhogi or Bhogi Pandigai is the first day of the festival which will be celebrated on January 13 this year. Bhogi is dedicated to Lord Indra, the God of Rains. On this day people discard their old unused items which are made of wood and make a bonfire out of them. The burning of these wooden items is connected to spiritual cleansing. People burst crackers and draw rangolis in front of their homes.
Day 2: Thai Pongal (January 14)
Thai Pongal is the main day of the festival and is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. Families come together to cook the traditional Pongal dish, perform puja, and celebrate the harvest. The day marks the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai, which is considered auspicious for new ventures, marriages, and celebrations.
Thai Pongal is observed as a day when people express gratitude to Surya Dev for sustaining life, farmers celebrate a successful harvest, and families pray for prosperity, happiness, and abundance in the year ahead.
Day 3: Mattu Pongal (January 15)
Mattu Pongal is dedicated to cows and bulls, which play a vital role in agriculture. The word “Mattu” means cattle. On this day, cattle are bathed, adorned with garlands, and their horns are painted in bright colours. They are fed special food, including Pongal, and worshipped by farmers as a mark of gratitude for their service. In many villages, traditional events such as Jallikattu, the bull-taming sport, are held on this day.
Day 4: Kaanum Pongal (January 16)
Kaanum Pongal is observed as a day of relaxation and social bonding. The word “Kaanum” means to visit or behold. Families visit relatives, parks, and beaches, while sisters pray for the well-being of their brothers. Communities come together for celebrations, cultural programmes, and folk dances, strengthening family ties and social harmony.
Pongal 2026: Origin
Pongal traces its roots to the Sangam Age of Tamil Nadu and celebrates nature’s abundance and the changing agricultural seasons. The festival symbolises hope, renewal, and gratitude, reminding people to honour nature for its role in sustaining life.
Pongal 2026: Muhurat
The auspicious Pongal Sankranti shubh muhurat will begin at 03:13 pm.
Pongal foods and festive specialties
Food plays a central role in Pongal celebrations. Popular dishes include Sakkarai Pongal, a sweet preparation made with jaggery, rice, ghee, cashews, and milk, and Ven Pongal, a savoury dish prepared with rice, lentils, pepper, cumin, and ghee. Sugarcane, symbolising sweetness and abundance, is an essential part of the festivities. Other traditional dishes include medu vada, sambar, avial, poriyal, kootu, and payasam, reinforcing the spirit of sharing and joy.
Pongal decorations and traditions
Homes are decorated with kolams—intricate designs made with rice flour—to welcome prosperity. Sugarcane bundles are used for decoration and offered during puja, while banana leaves are traditionally used to serve food. Families wear new clothes, with men donning veshti and shirts, and women wearing sarees or pavadai. Cattle are also decorated with flowers, colourful fabrics, and painted horns as part of the celebrations.