Pongal 2026: When will Tamil Nadu’s biggest festival be celebrated, how are these four special days of Pongal celebrated?

Pongal is a major harvest festival celebrated with great pomp in Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India. This festival is celebrated to celebrate the arrival of the new crop. On this occasion, people thank nature for giving good crops and bringing prosperity in life. This festival is celebrated with great happiness, wealth and good fortune. In the year 2026, Pongal will be celebrated for four days from January 14 to January 17. It coincides with harvest festivals like Makar Sankranti, Lohri and Magh Bihu celebrated in other parts of India.

The name Pongal comes from the Tamil word ‘Pongu’, which means ‘to boil’ or ‘to overflow’. This festival is based on this feeling. People mix new rice, milk and jaggery in a beautifully decorated earthen pot and cook it. When this mixture boils and spills out of the vessel, it is considered a sign of growth in life, wealth and good fortune.

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Why is Pongal auspicious?

Apart from this, Pongal also symbolizes the journey of the Sun God towards the north (Uttarayan). Uttarayan is considered very auspicious. On this day people thank and worship Sun God for giving good crops. This time is very special for farmers because crops like paddy, sugarcane and turmeric are harvested during this time. This month is also considered very good for weddings and religious functions.

Pongal 2026 dates and auspicious times

According to Tamil calendar, the main dates of Pongal in 2026 are as follows:

Thai Pongal (Main Day): 14 January 2026 (Wednesday)

Thai Pongal Sankranti Time: Around 3:13 pm

Thai Pongal is the most special day of the festival. On this day, special worship is done to the Sun God and sweet Pongal (Sakkarai Pongal) is offered. People make beautiful Kolam (Rangoli) outside the house and celebrate the festival happily.

What are the four days of Pongal and how are they celebrated?

1. Bhogi Pongal (Early evening of 13 January 2026 or preferably early 14 January) This first day symbolizes cleansing and new beginnings. People clean the house thoroughly and throw out old and useless things. In the evening, a bonfire is made by burning old things, which gives the message of saying goodbye to the old and starting a new one. This day is also associated with Indra Dev, the god of rain. People start the new year happily.

2. Thai Pongal (14 January 2026) This is the main day of the festival. The Tamil month ‘Thai’ begins on this day. People cook fresh rice, milk and jaggery in a new earthen pot in an open place early in the morning. When the milk boils and spills out, everyone together shouts ‘Pongalo Pongal’. It is a symbol of prosperity. Pongal is decorated with ghee, cashew nuts and raisins. First the offering is made to the Sun God, then the family members eat it sitting on a banana leaf. Beautiful Kolams are made outside the houses.

3. Mattu Pongal (15 January 2026) This day is dedicated to the animals that help in farming, especially cows and bulls. Farmers bathe their cattle, paint their horns, garland them with flowers and feed them good food. With this they thank the animals for their contribution. In some areas of Tamil Nadu, a traditional bull racing game called Jallikattu is also organized on this day.

4. Kanum Pongal (January 16, 2026, till January 17 in some places) This is the last day to spend time with family and relatives. People visit each other’s homes, meet each other, and eat delicious food together. Have picnics outside, play traditional games, sing songs and dance. This day increases the unity and love of the community.