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Festival Profile

Thai Pongal

Tamil harvest thanksgiving to the Sun God, marked by the boiling-over of the sacred pongal rice.

All festivals

Pongal is a Tamil harvest thanksgiving to the Sun God, marked by the boiling-over of the sacred rice dish (Pongal) as a symbol of abundance.

Stories behind the festival

The overflowing pot

The name Pongal comes from the Tamil word for "boiling over". As the rice boils and overflows, families chant "Pongalo Pongal!", celebrating abundance and the Sun's generous warmth that ripens the harvest.
Tamil folk tradition

The overflowing pot

The name Pongal comes from the Tamil word for "boiling over". As the rice boils and overflows, families chant "Pongalo Pongal!", celebrating abundance and the Sun's generous warmth that ripens the harvest.
Tamil folk tradition

Why we celebrate

Pongal is a Tamil harvest thanksgiving to the Sun God, marked by the boiling-over of the sacred rice dish (Pongal) as a symbol of abundance.
Tamil harvest tradition

When

Pongal is celebrated over four days in the Tamil month of Thai (mid-January), aligned with the winter solstice.

Since when it is followed

The festival is ancient Tamil harvest tradition, celebrated for centuries during the Thai month.
Tamil folk tradition

Who celebrates / for whom

Celebrated by Tamil communities in India and worldwide.

Origin

The origin is the harvest season and the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayana); the rice that boils over (pongal) symbolises abundance.
Tamil agrarian tradition; solar (Thai) calendar

Key deities

The Sun God (Surya), Lord Indra, and cattle (worshipped on Mattu Pongal).

How to celebrate

Boil the Pongal rice in a new pot and let it overflow, offer it to the Sun, decorate the home with kolam, and on Mattu Pongal decorate and honour cattle.

Rituals & offerings

Boiling-over of the pongal, Sun offering, kolam, Jallikattu (bull taming), and Kaanum Pongal (family visit day).

Key facts

Pongal coincides with Makar Sankranti but is the distinct Tamil observance.
Tamil regional tradition
Pongal coincides with Makar Sankranti but is the distinct Tamil observance.
Tamil regional tradition