Pongal Festival 2025 – Best Ways to Celebrate in Tamil Nadu and Other Regions: Pongal is one of the most significant festivals in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and the southern states. It marks the arrival of the harvest season and is dedicated to honoring the Sun God, who plays a crucial role in agriculture. The festival is a time of joy, gratitude, and unity, celebrated with great enthusiasm and a variety of customs and traditions. Though Pongal is most popular in Tamil Nadu, it has spread to other parts of India, where similar celebrations take place under different names. Let’s take a look at how Pongal is celebrated across the country.
Pongal Festival 2025: How is it celebrated in Tamil Nadu?
In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is celebrated over four days, with each day carrying its own unique rituals and significance.
1. Bhogi (First Day)
The first day of the festival, known as Bhogi, marks the beginning of the celebrations. People clean their homes and discard old items to make space for the new, symbolizing a fresh start. Bonfires are lit, where people burn unwanted items, marking the transition from the old year to the new. This day sets the tone for the festive period, and people also decorate their homes with kolams (intricate rangoli designs).
2. Pongal (Second Day)
The second day is the main event — Pongal. On this day, people prepare a special dish called Pongal, made from newly harvested rice, jaggery, and milk. The dish is cooked in a clay pot outdoors, often under the sun, symbolising the connection between the earth and the harvest. As the rice boils over, people chant “Pongalo Pongal!” as a way of expressing gratitude for the abundance of the harvest. The Sun God is also worshipped, and offerings are made to him.
3. Mattu Pongal (Third Day)
The third day is dedicated to honoring cattle, especially cows and bulls, which play an integral role in agricultural activities. Cattle are bathed, decorated with flowers and bells, and fed special meals. Bullock cart races and other cattle-related competitions are a common sight on this day, as people express their gratitude for the animals’ hard work.
4. Kaanum Pongal (Fourth Day)
The final day, Kaanum Pongal, is a time for family reunions and social gatherings. People visit relatives, friends, and neighbors, exchange gifts, and celebrate together. The day is also marked by outings to parks and beaches, where people enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Pongal Festival 2025: How is it celebrated in Andhra Pradesh?
In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Pongal is celebrated as Sankranti. The festival spans three days, with similar customs to those in Tamil Nadu, but with some variations in the celebrations.
The first day is dedicated to Bhogi, where old possessions are discarded and bonfires are lit. On the second day, people prepare Pongal, the sweet rice dish, and exchange sweets made from sesame seeds, jaggery, and coconut. The third day, Kanuma, is focused on honoring cattle, with special rituals performed for cows and bulls, acknowledging their importance in agricultural life.
Pongal Festival 2025: How is it celebrated in Karnataka?
In Karnataka, Pongal is also known as Sankranti, and it is celebrated with much fanfare. The festivities center around the preparation of Sakkarai Pongal, a sweet dish made from rice, jaggery, and ghee, along with a variety of other delicacies. On this day, cows and bulls are decorated, and people engage in traditional games, such as cow chases and bullock races.
In rural areas, the festival is marked by the playful throwing of gobbemmalu (cow dung balls) as part of the celebrations. The festive mood is contagious as families and communities come together to celebrate the harvest.
Pongal Festival 2025: How is it celebrated in Kerala?
While Pongal is not as widely celebrated in Kerala, a similar festival called Makara Sankranti is observed, particularly in the central and northern parts of the state. The festival is marked by special rituals and offerings to the Sun God. People prepare sweet rice dishes and celebrate with family gatherings and community events. The festival is also associated with kite flying, and in some areas, people take holy dips in rivers to mark the occasion.
Pongal Festival 2025: How is it celebrated in Maharashtra?
In Maharashtra and Gujarat, the festival is celebrated as Makar Sankranti, which usually coincides with Pongal. The celebrations include flying colorful kites, known as Patang, and offering sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery, called tilgul, to friends and family. The exchange of these sweets signifies goodwill and unity. In Maharashtra, people also celebrate with special dishes like Puran Poli and Khichdi.
Pongal Festival 2025: How is it celebrated in Northern India?
In northern India, especially in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Pongal is celebrated as Makar Sankranti, but with unique regional variations. On this day, people take ritual baths in holy rivers such as the Ganges and offer prayers to the Sun God. The festival is a time for families to come together and share festive meals. In some regions, kites are flown, and the exchange of tilgul sweets is also a common tradition.
Best Places to celebrate Pongal festival 2025 in Tamil Nadu
Pongal in Tamil Nadu is celebrated with vibrant traditions across several iconic locations. Madurai stands out with its grand Jallikattu events and cultural festivities at historic temples. Chennai offers the unique urban experience of ‘Chennai Sangamam,’ a cultural festival showcasing folk performances and traditional cuisine. In Mahabalipuram, the festival blends with ancient heritage, featuring traditional music and dance against the backdrop of stunning monuments. Theni district is known for its rural charm, hosting lively Jallikattu events in villages like Pallavarayanpatti and Ayyampatti. Meanwhile, Kuilappalayam near Auroville celebrates Pongal with traditional cattle races and village fairs, providing an authentic taste of Tamil culture.
