when is pongal

Pongal is celebrated every year in mid-January, usually around January 14–17, aligning with the start of the Tamil month Thai and the harvest season.

Pongal 2026 dates

For 2026, most calendars and festival guides show Pongal as a four-day festival in this window.

• Main Pongal day (Thai/Surya Pongal) falls around January 14–15, 2026, depending on regional and Panchang calculations.

• The full festival typically spans four days, from about January 14 to January 17 in 2026.

Typical four days

Many Tamil communities observe Pongal across these four named days.

• Bhogi Pongal: Cleaning, discarding old things, and bonfires to mark a fresh start.

• Thai (Surya) Pongal: Main day thanking the Sun, cooking sweet pongal, and doing special pujas.

• Mattu Pongal: Honouring cattle that support agriculture, often with decorations and special rituals.

• Kaanum/ Kanum Pongal: Family visits, outings, and community gatherings.

Why the date may differ

You may see slight differences online about “when is Pongal 2026” because:

• Some list the main festival day only (Thai Pongal), others list the full four-day span.

• Regional customs and different Panchang calculations can shift the dates by a day (for example, starting on January 14 vs 15).

Quick forum-style takeaway

If you’re asking in a “when is Pongal” forum sense, most people in 2026 will answer that Pongal is in mid-January, with the main celebration around January 14–15 and related events over four days.

In practice, check your local temple or Tamil community schedule, since they follow a specific Panchang and will give you the exact day and puja timings for your area.

TL;DR: Pongal happens every year in mid-January; in 2026 it’s centered around January 14–15, with four days of celebrations during that week.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.