One of the most significant festivals of South India, Pongal is an important festival marking the beginning of Uttarayana, which is the movement of the sun towards the north and to mark the time for harvest. It is a four-day-long festival celebrated with a lot of vigor and merrymaking in almost every household. It is often called the ‘Harvest Festival’ and is celebrated to commemorate the beginning of harvesting crops in the fields. Initially a festival of the farmers, now, Pongal is celebrated all over South India. The meaning of the word Pongal is ‘Boiling Over’, as it celebrates the abundant crops in the field. Pongal marks the biggest festival in the calendar of the fairs and festivals in Andhra Pradesh.
Pongal in Andhra Pradesh is celebrated for four continuous days. These four days of celebrations are called Bhogi Festival, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal. During village Pongal festival celebrations, there are processions taken out of cows that are adorned and festooned with ornaments. The entrances to each house are also beautified by colorful Kolam designs.
Time for celebrating Pongal
Pongal is generally celebrated in the middle of January. Mostly from the 3rd to the 16th of the month every year.
Pongal Festival Date
Pongal Festival 2026 will be celebrated from 14th Jan 2026 to 15th Jan 2026.
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