How to Celebrate Pongal: 4-Day Rituals Explained

There is something deeply beautiful about festivals that honour the bond between humans and nature. Last Pongal, I watched a Tamil friend wake before dawn to draw an intricate kolam at her doorway. She explained how every element, from the rice flour patterns and sugarcane stalks to the pot of pongal cooking in the courtyard, was more than decoration. It was an expression of gratitude for the harvest that sustains life.

That is the essence of Pongal. It reminds us that prosperity depends on forces beyond our control, like the sun, rain, cattle, and fertile earth. Today, these connections are easy to forget, and Pongal gently brings us back to them.

Celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu during the Tamil month of Thai in mid-January, Pongal marks the end of winter and the joy of agricultural abundance. While it coincides with Makar Sankranti across India, Pongal has its own distinct four-day celebration, each day carrying unique rituals and meanings. Understanding these four days helps us celebrate the festival more consciously and appreciate its tribute to nature, agriculture, and the divine forces that sustain life.

The Cultural and Agricultural Significance of Pongal

Pongal means “boiling over” in Tamil and refers to the ritual of cooking rice with milk and jaggery until it overflows, symbolising abundance and prosperity. The festival is dedicated to the sun god Surya, recognising the sun’s vital role in agriculture. It also honours cattle for their contribution to farming, celebrates a successful harvest, and marks the beginning of the auspicious Uttarayan period when the sun starts its northward journey.

For farming communities, Pongal marks the completion of a year’s hard work, when effort turns into visible abundance and food security. At the same time, it connects both rural and urban Tamilians to their shared agricultural roots, even for those whose lives are no longer directly linked to farming.

How to Celebrate Pongal: A 4 Day Celebration Guide

Day 1: Bhogi Pongal

Bhogi Pongal is about letting go of the old and welcoming the new. Families light early morning bonfires to burn unused or old items, symbolising the removal of negativity and the start of fresh beginnings.

Homes are cleaned, decorated, and adorned with kolam designs made using rice flour. Fresh clothes are worn, and prayers are offered for prosperity. The day focuses on renewal at every level, physical, spiritual, and emotional.

Day 2: Thai Pongal

Thai Pongal is the main day of the festival and is dedicated to the sun god Surya. Families cook the Pongal dish outdoors in clay pots, under the open sky, as an offering to the sun.

When the rice boils over, people joyfully chant “Pongalo Pongal,” celebrating abundance. The first offering is made to Surya, followed by sharing prasad with the family. Sugarcane, turmeric plants, and fresh produce decorate the space, expressing gratitude to nature. The day is marked by temple visits, festive meals, and family gatherings.

Day 3: Mattu Pongal

Mattu Pongal honours cattle for their vital role in agriculture. Cows and bulls are bathed, decorated with garlands and colours, and fed special food, including Pongal.

This day recognises cattle as partners in farming, not just livestock. In some regions, traditional events like Jallikattu take place under regulation. Mattu Pongal highlights respect and gratitude for all beings that support human life.

Day 4: Kaanum Pongal

Kaanum Pongal centres on family bonding and community time. Families visit relatives, go outdoors, and spend the day together. It is especially meaningful for married women who visit their parental homes.

The day reminds us that true prosperity lies not only in material abundance but in shared joy, strong relationships, and community connection.

Pongal Dress Ideas for Women

Dressing traditionally for Pongal honors the festival while participating in its joyous atmosphere:

1. Traditional Silk Sarees

Silk sarees are a classic choice for Pongal, especially Kanchipuram silks known for their rich borders and sheen. Festive colours like red, yellow, green, and maroon suit the occasion well and reflect Tamil tradition.

2. Festive Kurta Palazzo Set

Kurta sets are a comfortable yet festive option, ideal for long Pongal activities like cooking and kolam making. Choose cotton or cotton-silk fabrics in bright shades such as yellow, orange, green, or red. At Aramya, our soft cotton kurta sets in sizes M to 10XL offer comfort without compromising on festive appeal.

3. Ethnic Co-ord Set

Ethnic co-ord sets in festive colours and traditional prints blend modern style with cultural elements. They are easy to wear while still looking thoughtfully styled for Pongal.

4. Kurti Lehenga

Kurti lehenga sets combine elegance with ease. A short kurti paired with a flared lehenga creates a festive look that works well for daytime Pongal celebrations.

5. Lehenga Choli

For more formal or evening celebrations, lehenga cholis bring a grand festive feel. Choose comfortable fabrics and vibrant colours that match the joyful spirit of Pongal.

Conclusion

Pongal reminds us to live with gratitude, respect nature, and value community. Across its four days, the festival celebrates preparation, thanksgiving, partnership with nature, and togetherness, showing that prosperity is built through balance and shared effort.

Whether celebrated traditionally or in modern ways, what matters is mindful participation. This Pongal, honour the rituals, celebrate with loved ones, and remember that true prosperity lies not just in abundance, but in gratitude and connection.

Pongalo Pongal!