Pongal is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Coimbatore, marking the start of the Tamil month ‘Thai’ and honoring the Sun God for a successful harvest. The four-day festival, typically held in mid-January, brings families and communities together in a spirit of gratitude and renewal. Festivities begin with Bhogi, when people clean their homes and discard old belongings to make room for new, positive beginnings. The main day, Thai Pongal, sees the preparation of a special sweet dish called ‘Pongal’ using freshly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery, which is offered to the Sun God as thanks for abundance. On the third day, Mattu Pongal, cattle are decorated, worshipped, and celebrated for their role in agriculture. The festival concludes with Kaanum Pongal, a day for social gatherings and family outings. Throughout Coimbatore, homes and temples are adorned with colorful kolams (traditional floor designs made with rice flour), and the city comes alive with cultural performances, folk dances, and community feasts, reflecting both agricultural roots and rich Tamil traditions.
