Pongal is also called as Thai Pongal is a multi-day harvest festival which is celebrated mainly by Tamils. As per the Tamil Solar Calendar, Pongal is celebrated in the month of Thai and commonly falls on January 14 or 15. This festival is mainly dedicated to the Sun (Surya) God which corresponds to Makar Sankranti. Pongal is celebrated for about 3 or 4 days with Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Maatu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal on consecutive or successive days in the month of January.

Pongal is celebrated for 4 days starting on January 15 and ending on January 18 in the year 2024 with Bhogi Pongal is celebrated on January 15, Surya Pongal on January 16, Maatu Pongal on January 17, and finally Kaanum Pongal on January 18 with great enjoyment.

Bhogi Pongal is celebrated on the first day of Pongal during which houses are cleaned and decorated with diyas, Kolam, flowers, and lights, and also new clothes are worn. Surya Pongal is the second or main day of Pongal in which individuals offer prayers to the Sun God blessings. Many Pongal dishes are prepared on that day to celebrate Surya Pongal.

Maatu Pongal is the third day of Pongal that is devoted to honor and worshipping the cattle (Maatu) because cattle are considered sacred in our culture on that day. Devotees decorate cows with colorful deeds, flower garlands, and bells.  Finally, Kaanum Pongal is the fourth or last day of Pongal where family gather together to have delicious food to celebrate this day. Individuals enjoy traditional games, exchange gifts with their family members, and dance to traditional songs to celebrate this last day of Pongal. This last or fourth day of Pongal for traditional folk dances such as kolattam, and mayilattam.

On this day, male individuals wear silk and cotton mainly dhoti and kurta, and women wear silk sarees in myriad hues to celebrate Pongal. There are several dishes including made with rice mixed with moong dal and cooked with jaggery, ghee, raisins, and nuts to celebrate Pongal.

Happy Pongal to all my dear friends