As the harvest season begins, Southern India bursts into life with the vibrant celebrations of Pongal, a festival dedicated to expressing gratitude for nature's abundance. Starting with Bhogi ...

People throughout South India, at the dawning of January 13, 2025, will witness a spectacular view under the warm first rays of the sun for the Bhogi ceremony that officially initiates Pongal - an ...

Pongal is a four-day long festival celebrated with great enthusiasm. Bhogi Pongal, Thai Pongal also known as Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal are the four festive days.

On the first day, Bhogi Pongal, families clean their homes, burn old items, and prepare for the arrival of new crops. This ritual signifies the renewal of life and a fresh start.

Bhogi is the first day of the four-day Pongal festival. It is celebrated by the people discarding their old belongings in a bonfire. Bhogi celebrated in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai.

Pongal is mainly a harvest festival and a thanks giving to acknowledge the help done by the Sun god, bullocks, cows and others for agriculture since agriculture is deemed as the fulcrum of Tamil life.