MAKE A DONATION

To help keep music and dance thriving for every generation!

SHARE THIS PAGE

Pongal

Pongal (also called Thai Pongal) is a four-day harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu that is observed by the Tamil and Telegu communities of India.

Pongal (coming from the word ‘pongu', to boil over') corresponds to the wider Indian festival of Makar Sankranti as a harvest festival, but retains many regional differences in terms of how it is observed.

Variations of a special dish, also called Pongal (which is made up of rice and lentils), are served during the festival; the most popular dish during Pongal is the sweet version, however it can be made savoury with chillies and curry leaves. The focus on dishes like Pongal with simple ingredients such as rice, lentils and sugarcane reflect the focus of the festival on the harvesting of these crops and praying for agricultural prosperity.

Read more about Makar Sankranti on our specially-dedicated Knowledge Centre page here!

KNOWLEDGE CENTRE

Browse other items in the South Asian Arts Music and Knowledge Centre.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Holi

A Hindu Spring Festival mainly celebrated in India and Nepal, also known as the ‘Festival of Colours' or the ‘Festival of Love', signifying the victory of good over evil.

VIEW OUR LATEST BROCHURE ONLINE

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Company No. 3391845

Website design by Kal Mellor & developed by Cloud Payments Ltd