Overview
- According to the Tamil panchangam, the main day of Pongal is January 14, 2026, with the Thai Pongal Sankranti moment at 3:13 PM.
- Families prepare sweet pongal from newly harvested rice, milk and jaggery in a new earthen pot, letting it boil over before offering it to Surya.
- The four days comprise Bhogi (home cleansing and bonfires), Thai Pongal (solar thanksgiving), Mattu Pongal (honouring cattle and, in some areas, Jallikattu) and Kaanum Pongal (social visits and outings).
- Customs include drawing kolams at entrances, placing sugarcane near altars and wearing new traditional attire as symbols of abundance and welcome.
- The observance aligns with other Indian harvest festivals, including Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu, reflecting regional variations in timing and practice.