Pongal 2026: Four-Day Tamil Harvest Festival Celebrating Gratitude and Prosperity

Pongal 2026, celebrated from January 14 to 17, is a four-day Tamil harvest festival honoring the Sun God, nature, farmers, and cattle. Rooted in agrarian traditions, it marks the Tamil month of Thai and the sun's northward movement. Key days include Bhogi (clearing old), Thai Pongal (cooking the sweet dish Pongal), Mattu Pongal (honoring cattle), and Kaanum Pongal (social visits). The festival emphasizes gratitude, prosperity, family bonding, and cultural rituals like kolam decorations and traditional foods.