One of the most significant festivals in South India is Pongal. It is particularly observed in Tamil Nadu. The sun sets on the southernmost point of the hemisphere and starts its journey back to the northern one, marking the end of winter solstice in the Hindu calendar. Pongal is a four-day celebration that starts on January 14 and ends on January 17, in 2025.
Pongal 2025: Significance
Pongal celebrations hold great significance for Tamilians. People of Tamil Nadu think that this festival helps them to solve problems and brings about positive changes in their lives. It is basically a harvest festival when people harvest rabi crops. People observe other customary rituals to fortune during this month.
Pongal has a legend behind it, related to Lord Krishna. The story of Lord Krishna in Gokula is the most famous Pongal tale. In his fury, Lord Indra, the rain god, flooded Gokula. Lord Krishna saved the people of the village by lifting the enormous Govardhan Mountain on his little finger. Finally, Lord Indra begged for forgiveness and brought prosperity back to the Gokula people.
There is another story about Lord Shiva’s famous bull, Nandi. In one case, Nandi was asked by the gods to preach that people should bathe daily and eat only once a month. But Nandi did just the opposite. He said that “people should eat every day and bathe only once a month.” Lord Shiva was furious and ordered Nandi to remain on Earth and help people collect enough food to meet their daily needs.
Pongal 2025: Date and Time
Pongal is celebrated according to the Tamil calendar, Thai. It is a four-day harvest festival celebrated predominantly in Tamil Nadu, India. In 2025, the festival starts
Bhogi Pongal: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Thai Pongal: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Mattu Pongal: Thursday, January 16, 2025
Kaanum Pongal: Friday, January 17, 2025
Important timings of Pongal day:
Sunrise – January 14, 2025 7:14 AM
Sunset – January 14, 2025 5:57 PM
Sankranti Moment – January 14, 2025 8:55 AM
4 Day Rituals of Pongal 2025
Pongal is a 4 day long festival of Tamoilians. The celebrations last for four days. Bhogi Pongal marks the beginning of the festivities and Kaanum Pongal is the end of celebration.
Pongal: Day 1
The first day of pongal is called Bhogi Pongal. In 2025, it falls on January 14, Tuesday. The purpose of this day is to honor Lord Indra. Similar to Punjab’s Lohri festival, people light bonfires in front of their homes on this day. In this fire, people burn their old clothing and belongings in the flames. It means burning of the wrath and hatred from inside. People decorate their houses with ‘Kolams’ made of red mud and rice flour paste. Tamilians also use Pumpkin flowers and cow dung cakes for decorations.
Pongal: Day 2
On the second day of Pongal, people celebrate Surya or Thai Pongal. It is January 15th this year. Surya Pongal is the first day of Tamil month Thai. In other parts of India, the first day of Thai is celebrated as Makar Sankranti. This day is dedicated to Sun God and it is observed with great devotion. People make Pongal rice on this day with boiled rice and lentils with milk and jaggery. They offer it to the Sun god and make massive statues on the ground to worship.
Pongal: Day 3
Mattu Pongal is observed on the third day of Pongal. In 2025, it will be on January 16th. This day is dedicated to cattle because they are considered to be a vital part of agricultural society. The cattles and cows are bathed, fed the Pongal rice that is prepared for worship, and decorated with flowers. On this day, Pongal celebrations include bullfights.
Pongal: Day 4
People celebrate Kaanum Pongal, also called Kanya Pongal, on the fourth day of January. On this day, sisters do pooja for the health and well-being of their brothers. On this day, cooked Pongal rice is also given to the birds and cattles in the form of small pellets as a sign of respect.
Authentic Famous Pongal Recipes
Ven Pongal
Ingredients
- Rice
- Lentils
- Ghee
- Black pepper
- Cumin seeds
- Ginger
- Curry leaves
- Cashews
Preparation
Cook rice and dal together. Temper spices and mix with the cooked mixture. Serve hot with coconut chutney and sambar.
Sakkarai Pongal
Ingredients
- Rice
- Lentils
- Jaggery
- Ghee
- Cardamom
- Dry fruits
- Almonds
Preparation
Cook rice and dal, then mix with jaggery syrup. Add ghee and cardamom with it. Garnish with roasted almonds and raisins.
Rava Pongal
Ingredients
- Rava (semolina)
- Lentils
- Ghee
- Black pepper
- Cumin seeds
- Ginger
- Curry leaves
Preparation
Roast rava and cook with dal. Temper spices in ghee and mix. Serve with coconut chutney. Here’s a recipe for coconut chutney.
Kuthiraivali Pongal
Ingredients
- Barnyard millet
- Lentils
- Ghee
- Black pepper
- Cumin seeds
- Ginger
Preparation
Replace rice with barnyard millet and follow the Ven Pongal method.
Coconut Pongal
Ingredients
- Rice
- Lentils
- Desiccated coconut
- Ghee
- Cumin
- Black pepper
- Cashews
Preparation
Cook rice and dal, then mix with tempered spices and fresh coconut.
Thinai Sakkarai Pongal
Ingredients
- Foxtail millet
- Lentils
- Jaggery
- Ghee
- Cardamom
- Dry fruits
Preparation
Replace rice with foxtail millet for a healthy twist on sweet Pongal. Foxtail millet has lots of benefits for our health.
Pongal Wishes
1. Wishing you and your family a joyous and prosperous Pongal!
2. May this Pongal bring happiness, health, and wealth to your life.
3. Celebrate this harvest season with love and gratitude. Happy Pongal!
4. Let this Pongal fill your life with sweetness and success.
5. May your days be as sweet as Pongal and as bright as the Sun.
6. Sending warm Pongal wishes to you and your loved ones!
7. May this Pongal bring abundant harvest and endless joy to your home.
8. Let the celebrations of Pongal bring positivity and prosperity to your life.
9. Wishing you a Pongal filled with peace, love, and good fortune.
10. May this Pongal festival erase all your worries and bring abundant happiness.
Pongal Wishes in Tamil
1. இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்! வாழ்வில் செழிப்பும் சந்தோஷமும் நிரம்பியதாக இருக்க வாழ்த்துக்கள்!
2. இந்த பொங்கல் பண்டிகை உங்கள் வாழ்வில் மகிழ்ச்சியையும் செல்வத்தையும் கூட்டட்டும்.
3. உங்கள் குடும்பத்துக்கு இனிதான பொங்கல் திருநாள் வாழ்த்துகள்!
4. தை பொங்கல் திருநாள் உங்கள் வாழ்க்கையை சந்தோஷமாக மாற்றட்டும்!
5. பொங்கல் பண்டிகை உங்களுக்கு எல்லா வளங்களையும் கொண்டுவரட்டும்.
6. தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்; இந்த பொங்கல் உங்கள் வாழ்வில் புதிய பாதையை உருவாக்கட்டும்.
7. பொங்கலோ பொங்கல்! உங்களின் வாழ்வில் செழிப்பு தழைக்கட்டும்!
8. பொங்கல் பண்டிகை உங்கள் உறவுகளை உறுதியாக்கும் பொழுதாக அமையட்டும்.
9. இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்! உங்கள் வாழ்க்கை மகிழ்ச்சியால் மலரட்டும்.
10. தை பொங்கல் திருநாளில் உங்கள் கனவுகள் அனைத்தும் நனவாகட்டும்!
