A four-day Tamil harvest festival that honours the Sun, nature, farmers and cattle, Pongal celebrates gratitude, abundance, family bonds and renewal through age-old rituals, food traditions and cultural pride
India’s diversity lies in its unique ways of celebrating every phase of life, every moment of joy, and expressing gratitude towards fellow beings, creatures on the planet, nature, the five elements and the respective deities. Pongal, a four-day festival marks the beginning of the Tamil harvest season and people continue to offer prayers across homes and temples. It is one of the most meaningful festivals that the people in South India celebrate, wherever they are on the globe.
Thai Pongal, as it is known, will be celebrated from January 14-17 across India and outside wherever the Tamil population resides. Pongal derives its name from the Tamil word ‘pongu’, meaning ‘to boil over’ symbolising prosperity, abundance, overflowing happiness, a plentiful harvest and thanksgivings. Pongal describes how rice and milk are cooked together in an earthen pot until the mixture overflows.
Rooted in gratitude and cultural pride, it’s time when families come together to thank nature, farmers, sun and cattle for sustaining life. Transcending village boundaries, the festival has penetrated in urban life where the Tamilians cook traditional food, follow rituals and pray. More than a festival, it reflects the way of life in the good old days, when harmony prevailed amongst the population and the ecology. The festival is often referred to as the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, marking the end of the winter solstice. The festival is primarily dedicated to Surya for agricultural energy, farmers for their hard work, cattle for their role in farming and livelihood. But it’s not just about harvest, it is about thankfulness and renewal.
Pongal has been celebrated for centuries and is deeply embedded in Tamil history and literature. References to Pongal appear in Chola-era inscriptions, including records from the reign of King KulottungaI. Ancient Tamil devotional texts such as Thiruvempavai mention rituals connected to harvest celebrations. Historical temple records show Pongal dishes offered as prasadam, highlighting its spiritual importance. Over time, Pongal evolved while preserving its core values of gratitude and sustainability.
Pongal is celebrated as it has cultural and spiritual significance. It honours the Sun God, the primary source of life and energy. It celebrates agricultural success and seasonal transition. It reminds communities to live in balance with nature. It welcomes prosperity, health, and positive beginnings. Pongal is also a time to reconnect with traditions, family values, and cultural identity.
On day one the homes are cleaned, and decorated. Old utensils, clothes are discarded and new purchases are made, symbolising the letting go of negativity. Prayers are offered seeking blessings for rain and prosperity. It’s a day of transformation and fresh beginnings. Day two is the most important day of the festival, dedicated to Surya.
“We cook the traditional Pongal dish using newly harvested rice, milk and jaggery in a new clay pot outside our home in the open courtyard. We draw rangolis with rice flour and flowers. The pot is decorated with turmeric, sugarcane and flowers and worshipped before placing it on the fire. Everybody in the family sits around this fire, watching the Pongal cook and overflow. The overflowing of the cooked dish symbolises abundance. It also brings prosperity in the year that follows,” explains Rashmee Ravi Subramaniam who returns to her home for the festival from her job in Bengaluru.
“If a large clay pot is not available, we use a brass utensil to cook Pongal, and chant ‘Pongalo Pongal’ when the milk overflows from the pot. We also add ghee, raisins and cashews on top. Wearing new clothes, especially our traditional attire is a must for girls. The entrance of our home is decorated with special rangoli (kolam) patterns,” says Rashmee, 29. Kolam is a traditional South Indian form of rangoli, involving intricate geometric line drawings made with rice flour or powder, drawn daily at the entrances with patterns of loops around dots. It is similar to the rangoli (Muggu) drawn in the Telugu and Kannada regions during festivals like Pongal and Diwali.
When the Pongal is cooked, the first offering is made to Sun and Lord Ganesha, before sharing the dish with those who are present, and the neighbours. “There are feelings of joy, sharing, offering and thankfulness in the mind. Pongal brings all together. Wherever we are, we make sure that we reach our ancestral home to celebrate this unifying festival together,” says Rashmee.
Day three is called Mattu Pongal, which is honouring the cattle as they are the backbone of the traditional farming in India. Cows and bulls are bathed, decorated and worshipped. They are fed special offerings made from jaggery, fruits and Pongal. The villages hold cultural events, traditional games and processions are held in the temples. In some parts of Tamil Nadu, Jallikattu is organised as a symbolic celebration of bravery and tradition, wherein the farmers showcase their cattle breeds and competitions are held amongst them. Mattu Pongal highlights respect for animals and rural life.
The day four is Kanum Pongal which marks the joyful conclusion of the festival. People visit each other’s homes, meet and greet, share sweets, have meals together, go for picnics and temple visits. The new sugarcane crop is shared with each other. The cities hold cultural programmes and community gatherings in halls.
Indian festivals are not just rituals, they bring with them joy, togetherness, sharing and caring spirit that comes from eating meals together, praying and offering gratitude towards nature. Meaningful conversations and knowledge sharing, taking forward the traditions and legacies are also a part of these festivities when followed with utmost reverence.
