Pongal (/ ˈθaɪˈpoʊŋʌl /), also referred to as Thai Pongal, is a multi-day Hindu harvest festival celebrated by Tamils. It is observed in the month of Thai according to the Tamil solar calendar and usually falls on 14 or 15 January.

Pongal, three-day Hindu festival held throughout South India. It is celebrated on the winter solstice, when, according to the traditional Hindu system of reckoning, the Sun, having reached its southernmost point, turns to the north again and reenters the sign of makara (Capricorn), usually on January 14.

Pongal is a four-day long harvest festival celebrated mostly in the states of South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. It's celebrated in the winters when the sun reaches at the extremes of the southern hemisphere and starts returning to the northern hemisphere (as per Hindu calendar). Pongal will begin on the 14th of January.

Pongal, a harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, signals a time for new beginnings. It marks the end of a cold winter and signals the start of the sun’s six-month journey towards the North. On this auspicious day, the Sun is worshipped as the life force behind all creation.

Pongal, which is celebrated in countries such as India, marks the start of sun’s six-month long journey northwards (Uttarayana). This observance occurs annually around January 14 each year. Hindus consider the date as auspicious and mark this as the beginning of sun’s movement towards the zodiac Capricorn (Makarm Rashi).