After the grand New Year celebrations, another vibrant festival graces the month of January, celebrated across India with joy and cultural diversity. Pongal, a festival of gratitude and abundance, holds special significance in South India. Pongal 2025 will begin on January 14th and continue for four joyous days, bringing families and communities together to honor nature and express thanks to the Sun God, farmers, and cattle that sustain our lives.
History of Pongal
Pongal festival is mentioned in the Viraraghava temple inscription from the Chola king Kulottunga I (1070–1122 CE), describing a land grant for its celebration. The 9th-century Shaiva Bhakti text Tiruvempavai by Manikkavacakar also references the festival. Variants of the name, such as ponakam, tiruponakam, and ponkal, appear in Tamil texts and inscriptions. Recipes from the Chola to Vijayanagara periods show variations of the modern Pongal dish, which was also offered as prasadam in South Indian temples.
Significance of Pongal Festival
Pongal is a festival deeply rooted in gratitude and tradition, celebrating the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. It honors the Sun God (Surya), the primary source of energy and a vital contributor to agricultural prosperity. This festival also marks the conclusion of the winter solstice and the commencement of Uttarayana, the sun's six-month-long northward journey, symbolizing growth and renewal.
The name “Pongal,” meaning “to boil over,” signifies abundance, prosperity, and a successful harvest. Pongal, often referred to as the "Harvest Festival of Tamil Nadu. By celebrating Pongal, families express their gratitude to nature for its bounties and welcome a season of hope and positivity.
The Four day Celebration
Bhogi
The first day of the Pongal festival, known as Bhogi, signifies the end of the Tamil month Margazhi. This day is dedicated to discarding old belongings and embracing new beginnings. People light bonfires to burn old and unwanted items, symbolizing the removal of negativity and the welcoming of renewal and prosperity.
Homes are thoroughly cleaned, painted, and beautifully decorated to reflect the festive spirit. On Bhogi, prayers are offered to Indra, the king of gods, to express gratitude for past blessings and to seek abundant rains and a fruitful year ahead. This day sets the tone for the Pongal festivities, emphasizing purification and preparation for the harvest celebration.
Surya Pongal or Thai Pongal
Surya Pongal, or Thai Pongal, is the main day of the Pongal festival, dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. Celebrated on January 15, 2025, it marks the first day of the Tamil month Thai. Families wear new clothes and prepare the traditional Pongal dish in an earthen pot, decorated with turmeric, flowers, and sugarcane. Homes are adorned with banana and mango leaves, and vibrant kolams.
Relatives and friends gather as the Pongal begins to boil and overflow, a symbolic gesture of prosperity. Participants blow conches or make celebratory sounds while exclaiming "Pongalo Pongal!" Traditional songs are sung in rural areas as the dish cooks. The Pongal dish is first offered to Surya and Ganesha as a mark of gratitude and devotion and then shared among friends and family. People traditionally offer prayers to the Sun in the open before enjoying their festive meal.
Mattu pongal
Mattu Pongal, the third day of the Pongal festival, is dedicated to celebrating cattle, which are considered sources of wealth due to their role in dairy production, agriculture, and transportation. On this day, cattle are bathed, their horns are polished and painted, and they are adorned with garlands of flowers. They are also fed sweets such as pongal, jaggery, honey, and fruits. People often express gratitude to the cattle for their assistance during the harvest.
A key tradition is visiting nearby temples, where communities hold processions with wooden chariots carrying temple icons, along with drama and dance performances that promote social gatherings and strengthen community bonds. Other events include Jallikattu, a traditional bull-fighting sport where participants attempt to hold onto a bull's hump while it tries to escape.
Kanu Pidi is a ritual observed by women and young girls, where they place a turmeric leaf outside their homes and offer food to birds, especially crows, while praying for their brothers' well-being.
Kanum Pongal
Kanum Pongal, the fourth and final day of the Pongal festival, signifies the conclusion of the year’s celebrations. The word "kanum" translates to "to visit," and this day is dedicated to family reunions. Communities come together to strengthen their bonds through social events, where people enjoy meals and share sugarcane as part of the festivities.
Pongal Beyond Tamil Nadu
Pongal, a festival mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu, is also observed in other parts of India and around the world. In North India, it is celebrated as Makar Sankranti, and in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it is known as Sankranthi. Tamil communities living abroad also celebrate Pongal to keep their cultural traditions alive. In Kerala, which shares historical ties with Tamil culture, the festival is called Pongala. The celebrations include making the traditional Pongal dish, visiting friends and family, and honoring cattle. It is celebrated on the same day as Tamil Pongal, usually in February or March.
Pongal Festival 2025 Dates
- Bhogi - 13th January
- Thai Pongal - 14th January
- Mattu Pongal - 15th January
- Kanum Pongal - 16th January
Pongal is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of life, nature, and the deep connection between humans and the environment. The four days of vibrant celebrations foster a spirit of gratitude and renewal. Pongal serves as a reminder of the importance of living in harmony with nature and appreciating the abundance that sustains us. As families come together to celebrate this joyous occasion, the festival also strengthens cultural bonds, both in India and among Tamil communities around the world. Pongal 2025 promises to be a time of renewal, prosperity, and hope, marking the beginning of a new harvest season filled with blessings.
Happy Pongal!