Pongal is the first and major Hindu festival, which is observed not only in Tamil Nadu but also in other parts of the country.
| Name | Region |
| Makar Sankranti | Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Bihar, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha , Kerala |
| Uttarayana | Rajasthan, Gujarat |
| Maghi | Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh |
| Magh Bihu | Assam |
| Maghe Sankranti | Nepal |
Pongal, A 4-day Festival, Is Celebrated In January 2018.
| Name of the festival | Dates | Days |
| Bhogi Festival | 13 January 2018 | Saturday |
| Surya Pongal | 14 January 2018 | Sunday |
| Mattu Pongal | 15 January 2018 | Monday |
| Kaanum Pongal | 16 January 2018 | Tuesday |
Pongal Holidays In 2019
| Name of the festival | Dates | Days |
| Bhogi Festival | 14 January 2019 | Sunday |
| Surya Pongal | 15 January 2019 | Monday |
| Mattu Pongal | 16 January 2019 | Tuesday |
| Kaanum Pongal | 17 January 2019 | Wednesday |
Pongal Holidays In 2020
| Name of the festival | Dates | Days |
| Bhogi Festival | 14 January 2020 | Sunday |
| Surya Pongal | 15 January 2020 | Monday |
| Mattu Pongal | 16 January 2020 | Tuesday |
| Kaanum Pongal | 17 January 2020 | Wednesday |
Pongal Dates Detailed Information
In 2018, Bhogi Festival falls on 13 January, which is on Saturday. The day usually falls on the final day of the month of Margazhi on the Tamil calendar. The God Indra is honored for providing enough rain for a wealthy harvest. Before the harvest, a special puja shall be performed. Farmers worship the earth and the sun through anointing their apparatuses with sandalwood paste. The day is also dedicated to cleaning the home and accumulating useless items. Homes shall be painted.
Surya Pongal falls on the opening day of the month of Thai on the Tamil Calendar. In 2018, the festival falls on 14 January, which is on Sunday. It relates with Makar Sankranti, which is a winter harvest celebrated in all parts of India. Festivities include preparing the Pongal dish, which is offered to the sun and shared with loved ones.
Maatu Pongal in 2018 is celebrated on 15 January that falls on Monday. The festival is devoted to the worship of cows that help farmers to cultivate and provide milk. Cows are bathed and decorated as well. They are allowed to rest on the day.
Kaanum Pongal is celebrated on 16 January in 2018. The nourishing of birds is considered to be auspicious on the day. Women provide birds special colored rice balls. Kaanum means to see. The day is celebrated by going out with friends and families
