Pongal 2025: Date, Significance, and Four Days of Celebrations in the UK

Pongal 2025 will be celebrated from Tuesday, 14th January to Friday, 17th January 2025. This vibrant festival, primarily observed in Tamil Nadu, marks the harvest of crops, particularly rice, and is one of the most important festivals for Tamil Hindus. It celebrates the beginning of the Tamil month Thai and is a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest, pray for prosperity, and express gratitude to nature for its blessings. Pongal is a major harvest festival that not only honors the Sun God but also recognizes the role of livestock, the land, and the hardworking farmers in sustaining the community.

Key Dates for Pongal 2025 in the UK:

Bhogi Pongal: Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Thai Pongal: Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Mattu Pongal: Thursday, January 16, 2025

Kaanum Pongal: Friday, January 17, 2025

Pongal is celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Tamil Nadu, India, and by Tamil communities across the globe, including the United Kingdom.

To learn more about the four days of Pongal, including the dates, rituals, story, and timings, click here.

What is Pongal?

Pongal is a four-day festival celebrated primarily in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities worldwide. It is a time to express gratitude for the agricultural abundance and marks the beginning of the Tamil month Thai. The festival coincides with Makar Sankranti in Northern India, but with unique customs and rituals. The main event, Thai Pongal, falls on the second day of the festival, dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. The celebration is an expression of thanks for the harvest of crops like rice, sugarcane, turmeric, and other grains. The festival involves preparing a special dish called Pongal, which is made from freshly harvested rice, boiled with milk and jaggery. It is a time for families to come together, offer prayers, and strengthen social bonds. The celebrations also include adorning homes with colorful decorations, lighting bonfires, and honoring livestock, which play an essential role in agriculture. The four-day festival highlights the deep connection between nature, community, and gratitude for a successful harvest.

The Four Days of Pongal 2025

Day 1: Bhogi Pongal (14th January 2025) : The first day of the Pongal festival is known as Bhogi Pongal. This day is dedicated to Lord Indra, the god of rain, to seek blessings for a good harvest. The people of Tamil Nadu observe a traditional bonfire ritual by discarding old items from their homes, symbolizing the burning of past burdens and welcoming fresh, positive energy. On this day, people wear new clothes, decorate their homes, and light bonfires made of old furniture, wooden items, and cow dung cakes. In rural areas, the horns of cattle are painted and decorated in vibrant colors. The day is filled with dancing and singing as people celebrate the arrival of the new year.

Day 2: Thai Pongal (15th January 2025) : The second day of Pongal is the most important and is known as Thai Pongal. It is the main day of the festival, also called Surya Pongal, as it is dedicated to the Sun God. On this day, people gather early in the morning to prepare the traditional Pongal dish – a mixture of newly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery – in an outdoor pot, allowing it to “overflow,” symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

Households decorate their homes with beautiful Kolams (floral patterns made with rice flour) at the entrance and offer prayers to the Sun God for good health, prosperity, and a bountiful harvest. In addition to the Pongal dish, sugarcane, bananas, and coconuts are also offered during the prayers. This day signifies the harvest season and marks the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai.

Day 3: Mattu Pongal (16th January 2025) : The third day, Mattu Pongal, is dedicated to honoring the livestock, especially cattle, which play a vital role in farming activities. Farmers bathe and decorate their cattle with flowers, garlands, and colorful paints. The animals are also given special food, including sugarcane and Pongal rice.

In some regions, Jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport, is organized as part of the celebrations. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of livestock in the lives of farmers and celebrates the contributions of these animals to agricultural success.

Day 4: Kaanum Pongal (17th January 2025) : The final day of the festival is Kaanum Pongal, a day of socializing, family gatherings, and exchanges of blessings. The word “Kaanum” means "to visit" in Tamil, and on this day, people visit their relatives, friends, and neighbors to share food, offer good wishes, and celebrate together. Fresh sugarcane and Pongal sweets are exchanged, and people pray for prosperity and happiness.

In many households, women perform a ritual called Kanu Pidi for their brothers, similar to the Bhai Dooj tradition. Leftover food from the previous days is placed on fresh turmeric leaves, and prayers are offered for the well-being of family members.

Significance of Pongal

London: Major Tamil temples like Shree Ghanapathy Temple and Sri Murugan Temple hold special Pongal pujas and community gatherings.

Leicester: Tamil associations organize events, featuring traditional dance and music, followed by Pongal feasts.

Birmingham: Cultural festivals and temple events mark the occasion, with Tamil families participating in community celebrations.

Pongal 2025 in the UK: Celebrations in Westminster and Stoke-on-Trent

Pongal 2025 is an exciting time for the Tamil community in the UK, with two major events happening in January and February. On Monday, 13th January 2025, the British Tamil community invites you to celebrate Pongal in Westminster, London. The event, held at Church House, Westminster, will feature cultural performances, traditional sweets, and festivities from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM GMT. It's a great opportunity to join fellow Tamils and celebrate the harvest festival, with a chance to meet MPs and participate in the joyous occasion. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £5 for children under 16, and free for children under 4, with each ticket including a free Pongal snack box.

Another fantastic celebration will take place on Saturday, 8th February 2025 at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Thai Pongal Festival will include traditional music, dance, food, and much more, as the Tamil community of Stoke-on-Trent gathers to thank the Sun, Mother Nature, and the farm animals that help ensure a bountiful harvest. This family-friendly event is free to attend, making it a wonderful way to experience the spirit of Pongal.

How Indians in the UK Can Celebrate Pongal 2025

While the weather in the UK is different from the warmth of southern India, you can still enjoy Pongal 2025 with these simple tips:

Create a traditional Pongal atmosphere: Even if you don’t have an outdoor space, cook the Pongal dish in a pot at home, and offer it to the Sun God on your balcony or windowsill.

Connect virtually: If you can’t be with family in India, join virtual Pongal celebrations or connect with loved ones over video calls to share the joy.

Cultural events in the UK: Many cultural centres and temples host special events for Pongal, including performances of traditional dance like Bharatanatyam and Kolattam, and workshops on making traditional sweets.

Conclusion

Pongal 2025 promises to be a time of great celebration for Tamil communities, both in India and the UK. From the traditional rituals on Bhogi to the honoring of livestock on Mattu Pongal, this festival brings people together to celebrate life, nature, and the bond of family. Whether in India or abroad, Pongal remains a cherished festival that upholds the values of gratitude, prosperity, and unity.

Let us celebrate Pongal 2025 with joy, food, music, and rituals that have been passed down for generations, marking the end of winter and the beginning of a fruitful new year.