Pongal

Why in news?

The Social Justice Monitoring Committee of the Tamil Nadu government made a strong case for including Pongal in the list of festivals recognised by UNESCO.

• Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil community in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• It is a celebration to thank the Sun, Mother Nature and the various farm animals that help contribute to a bountiful harvest.
• Meaning – The word Pongal comes from pongu (“to boil over”), symbolising prosperity.
• Dates – It is celebrated annually from 13 to 16 January, aligning with the Sun’s northward journey (Uttarayan).
• 4 Days of Celebration -

• It is also celebrated among the Tamil diaspora across the world, especially in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore.
• Celebrations in other states – Thai Pongal coincides with harvest festivals celebrated across various states under different names, such as
  • Makar Sankranti - Andhra Pradesh & Telangana,
  • Lohri – Punjab,
  • Sankranti - Karnataka, and
  • Magh Bihu - Assam, etc.
• Cultural Significance – It is a deeply cultural event, rooted in agriculture, but also emphasises community, familial bonds, and gratitude for nature's bounty.

Various festivals of India recognised by UNESCO – Ramman (2009), religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas; Kumbh Mela (2017); Durga Puja (2021); Deepavali (2025).

References

1. The Hindu | Book on fairs & festivals of Tamil Nadu
2. TN Tourism | Pongal
3. Indian Heritage Centre | Pongal