Sun enters Capricorn, marking the harvest season. Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in Tamil Nadu, India, to give thanks to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest. It marks the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai and is observed with rituals, feasts, and the cooking of the traditional dish, Pongal.
Pongal 2026 is a sacred harvest festival that blends gratitude, science, and culture. It honors the Sun God for energy that helps crops grow. It celebrates farmers, cattle, and the land that feeds everyone. The festival signals renewal, harmony, and abundance for communities and households. 🪷🌞🐄
| Title | Value |
|---|---|
| Tithi | Pongal (Surya Pongal) |
| Nakshatra | Uttara Phalguni |
| Sunrise | 06:40 AM IST |
| Sunset | 05:50 PM IST |
| Auspicious Timing | 05:50 AM – 07:20 AM |
| Date | 14 January 2026 |
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Do's: - Clean and declutter the home before Kolam and prayers. - Begin Pongal by offering Surya Puja at sunrise and express gratitude for the harvest. - Cook the traditional Pongal with fresh rice, dal, milk, jaggery, and ghee; serve prasadam to family and guests. - Use eco-friendly kolam (rice flour) and natural colors; keep the surroundings hygienic. - Wear traditional attire and involve all family members; share sweets with neighbors. - Conserve water and avoid waste; recycle and compost kitchen scraps where possible. - Observe local safety guidelines at public celebrations and festivals. Don'ts: - Do not waste food; avoid excessive leftovers; donate or share with those in need. - Do not harm animals; treat cows and livestock with care; avoid cruelty. - Do not use plastic or non-biodegradable decorations; prefer eco-friendly options. - Do not leave fires unattended during cooking or lamps; keep children away from hot surfaces. - Do not disrupt others' prayers; be mindful of crowd etiquette at public events.
Observing Pongal 2026 with the traditional rituals provides remedies for starting the year on a positive note and offers several perceived benefits. Core remedies include cleaning and decorating the home, lighting lamps and offering prayers to Surya, preparing and sharing the first harvest Pongal dish, giving thanks to cattle and farmers, performing Bhogi by discarding old items to release burdens, donating to the needy, and planting saplings or starting a small green project. Wearing new clothes and starting fresh habits also form part of the observance. The benefits commonly attributed to these practices are a sense of gratitude, strengthened family bonds, a hopeful and peaceful mindset, a prosperous harvest or improved finances in the coming year, better health and well-being, and a closer connection with nature and agrarian roots.
Pongal is celebrated as a harvest festival in Tamil Nadu to thank the Sun God (Surya) and nature for a bountiful harvest. It marks the end of the winter harvest and the start of a new agricultural cycle in the Tamil month Thai. People cook the festive Pongal, decorate homes with kolam, and honor cattle that help in farming during the Mattu Pongal day. The celebration spans several days and emphasizes gratitude for sun, crops, livestock, and new beginnings. In 2026, these traditions continue in the same seasonal cycle, with dates aligning to the Tamil calendar and shifting slightly each year.