VIDYA VIKASINI INSTITUTIONS Opportunity School Pongal Festival 2026
1. What is the Pongal festival and why is it celebrated?
Pongal is a traditional harvest festival of Tamil Nadu celebrated to thank the Sun God, nature, farmers, and cattle for a successful agricultural harvest. It marks prosperity, gratitude, and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle and is observed during the Tamil month of Thai (January).
2. When is Pongal celebrated?
Pongal is celebrated every year from January 14 to January 17, coinciding with the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara Sankranti). The festival spans four days: Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal.
3. What is the significance of Thai Pongal?
Thai Pongal is the main day of the Pongal festival and is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya). On this day, people prepare a special dish called Pongal using freshly harvested rice, symbolizing abundance, wealth, and gratitude for nature’s blessings.
4. Why is Pongal called a harvest festival?
Pongal is called a harvest festival because it celebrates the completion of the agricultural harvest season in Tamil Nadu. Farmers thank nature, rain, soil, sunlight, and animals that help grow crops, making it one of the most important agrarian festivals in South India.
5. What are the four days of Pongal and their importance?
The four days of Pongal are:
Bhogi Pongal – Discarding old items and welcoming new beginnings
Thai Pongal – Worship of the Sun God
Mattu Pongal – Honoring cattle for their role in farming
Kaanum Pongal – Social gatherings and family bonding
Each day highlights gratitude, renewal, and community harmony.
6. What food is traditionally prepared during Pongal?
The most important dish is Pongal, made in two varieties:
Sakkarai Pongal (sweet Pongal with jaggery)
Ven Pongal (savory Pongal with ghee and pepper)
Other foods include sugarcane, vadai, payasam, coconut dishes, and traditional rice recipes.
7. What is the meaning of “Pongalo Pongal”?
“Pongalo Pongal” is a joyful chant shouted when the Pongal dish boils over. It symbolizes overflowing happiness, prosperity, and success, reflecting the festival’s core message of abundance.
8. Why are cows worshipped during Mattu Pongal?
Cows and bulls are worshipped during Mattu Pongal because they play a crucial role in agriculture. Farmers honor cattle for plowing fields, producing milk, and supporting rural livelihoods, showing respect for animals and sustainable farming practices.
9. How is Pongal celebrated in modern times?
In modern times, Pongal is celebrated through family gatherings, cultural programs, office events, social media greetings, and community festivals. While lifestyles have changed, the values of gratitude, tradition, and togetherness remain unchanged.
10. Is Pongal celebrated outside India?
Yes, Pongal is celebrated by Tamil communities worldwide, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, the Middle East, Europe, and the USA. It helps preserve Tamil culture and connect the global Tamil diaspora to their roots.