Thai Pongal is one of the major festivals observed in Tamil Nadu during Thai month. In 2026, Thai Pongal date is January 14. This festival, dedicated to Lord surya, is celebrated for four days.
Thai Pongal is celebrated as Makara Sankranthi in other regions of India. Thai Pongal marks the beginning of Thai month in Tamil calendar during when Sun enters into Makara rashi.
The 4-day Thai Pongal festival starts on Bhogi Pongal. Thai Pongal or Perum Pongal is the second day of fest. Third and fourth day are known as – Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal.
Pongal is celebrated in beautiful manner with colourful kolam designs, delicious PONGAL dishes, and charmingly adorned cattle. It also marks the arrival of new crops for farmers.
What is Thai Pongal?
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Thai Pongal is “Tamizhar Thirunal”, the traditional Thanksgiving‑type harvest festival of Tamil people, celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and the Tamil diaspora.
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The term combines Thai (10th month of Tamil solar calendar) and Pongal (“boiling over”), also the name of the sweet rice dish cooked with new rice, milk, and jaggery offered to Surya.
Key rituals
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On Thai Pongal morning, families cook sweet Pongal in a decorated pot, allowing the milk to boil over while joyfully calling “Pongalo Pongal”, then offer it first to Surya and then to family and guests.
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Homes are cleaned and adorned with kolam, sugarcane and banana leaves; subsequent days focus on worship of cattle (Mattu Pongal) and family visits and blessings (Kaanum Pongal).
Spiritual and cultural significance
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The festival expresses gratitude to Sun, rain, land, cattle, and farmers for agricultural abundance, functioning as a renewal of bonds between humans, nature, and community.
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The “boiling over” symbolises overflowing prosperity and auspicious beginnings, and the start of Thai is traditionally regarded as opening new, favourable opportunities (“Thai piranthal vazhi pirakkum”).
Dedicated to the lord Surya –its a rumor.
Its not dedicated to any person.
Its dedicated to the cattle which help the farmers.
So its a thanksgiving day not the invisible god but visible animals.