Surya Pongal is the second day of four-day Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu. In 2026, Surya Pongal date is January 14. As the name suggests, the festival is dedicated to Surya or Sun God.
Surya Pongal is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and North Indian states. This is also the first day of the Tamil month of Thai masam. Kolam is the main attraction of Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu. Women folk take it as a challenge to decorate their houses with beautiful kolam designs.
Surya Puja is the most important ritual during Surya Pongal festival. Devotees offer naivedyam of milk and jiggery to Lord Surya. Milk is boiled in every house in a clay pot and when the boiled spills out from the pot, children shout out “Pongal – oh – Pongal”. In some places, Pongal (rice recipe) is cooked. Surya Puja marks the beginning of Thai month. Surya Stotras or Prayers of Lord Surya are recited during the Surya Pongal Puja.
Significance
The day symbolizes prosperity and renewal, with the boiling-over Pongal dish representing overflowing abundance and gratitude to nature, Sun God, and farm animals. It fosters family bonds and agricultural harmony in Tamil culture.
Key Rituals
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Draw kolam (rangoli) with rice flour at entrances; tie mango leaves and turmeric to clay pots.
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Cook sweet Pongal (new rice, jaggery, milk, cashews) outdoors until it overflows, shouting “Pongalo Pongal!” as naivedyam to Surya.
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Offer prayers at sunrise, wear new clothes, and share prasad; decorate with sugarcane for sweetness.
Local Observance
In Hyderabad and Telangana, families prepare Pongal dishes, visit Surya temples like Birla Mandir, and perform home puja blending Telugu-Tamil traditions. Evening feasts include ven pongal (savory) alongside the sweet version.
Can any one say the list of tamil Months which starts first month as Suravam