Pongal 2026 - All 4 Days
Day 1: Bhogi Pongal
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Rituals: Bhogi Mantalu (bonfire of old items), cleaning homes, discarding old belongings, welcoming new beginnings.
Muhurat: Bhogi bonfire at dawn, 5:30 AM - 6:30 AM
Day 2: Thai Pongal (Main Day)
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Rituals: Cooking Pongal in new clay pot, Kolam with flour, sugarcane decorations, Sun God worship.
Muhurat: Pongal cooking starts at sunrise, ~6:15 AM
Day 3: Mattu Pongal
Date: Friday, January 16, 2026
Rituals: Cattle worship, decorating cows/bulls with garlands, Jallikattu (bull-taming sport in some regions).
Muhurat: Cattle puja in morning, 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Day 4: Kaanum Pongal
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Rituals: Family outings, visiting relatives, placing leftover Pongal on turmeric leaves for birds.
Activities: Picnics, temple visits, community gatherings
Thai Pongal Muhurat Timings
Sunrise (Pongal Time)
January 15, 2026
6:43 AM IST (Chennai)
Thai Masam Begins
January 14, 2026
08:04 PM IST
Sankranti Moment
January 14, 2026
Sun enters Makara
Puja Time
Morning
6:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Tamil Nadu Pongal Traditions
Traditional Pongal Recipe
Ingredients: Raw rice, moong dal, jaggery, ghee, cashews, coconut, milk, cardamom.
Method: Cook rice and dal in milk until it overflows. Add jaggery, ghee, and garnish with cashews. Traditionally cooked outdoors in a new clay pot.
Famous Temples to Visit During Pongal
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Location: Madurai | Deity: Goddess Meenakshi
Grand Pongal celebrations with special abhishekam and cultural programs.
Brihadeeswarar Temple
Location: Thanjavur | Deity: Lord Shiva
UNESCO World Heritage site with magnificent Pongal decorations.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
Location: Srirangam, Trichy | Deity: Lord Vishnu
Largest functioning Hindu temple with special Vaikunta Ekadasi-Pongal celebrations.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Location: Chennai | Deity: Lord Shiva
Historic temple in Mylapore with traditional Pongal puja.
Jallikattu Events 2026
Jallikattu is the traditional bull-taming sport of Tamil Nadu, held during Pongal season.
Major Venues:
- Alanganallur, Madurai - January 16, 2026
- Palamedu, Madurai - January 15, 2026
- Avaniapuram, Madurai - January 15, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Pongal 2026 in Tamil Nadu?
Pongal 2026 is celebrated from January 14-17, 2026. Thai Pongal (main day) falls on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Why do we shout "Pongalo Pongal"?
When the rice milk overflows from the pot, families shout "Pongalo Pongal!" (meaning "overflow, Pongal!") to celebrate abundance and welcome prosperity into the home.
Is Pongal a government holiday?
Yes, all 4 days of Pongal are state holidays in Tamil Nadu. Government offices, schools, and most businesses remain closed.
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