Pongal, Sankranti Festival Celebration and Holidays in South India 2023

Pongal is a popular harvest festival celebrated in South India. It is also known as the ‘Festival of the Sun’ and is observed in the month of Thai (January-February). Pongal celebrations last for four days and each day has a different name and significance. The first day of Pongal is called Bhogi, the second day is Surya Pongal, the third day is Mattu Pongal and the fourth day is Kaanum Pongal.

Pongal is celebrated to thank the Sun God – Surya – for bestowing the bountiful harvest. Farmers offer prayers and prepare special dishes on this occasion. On Surya Pongal, people wake up early and take a holy bath. They wear new clothes and offer prayers to the Sun God, seeking his blessings. A special dish called ‘Pongal’ is prepared on this day using rice, milk, and sugar. This dish is offered to the Sun God as part of the puja ritual.

The third day of Pongal is known as Mattu Pongal, which is dedicated to cattle. Cattle are decorated with bells and flowers and are given a special treat of rice, jaggery, and molasses. This day is also marked by games and sports such as bullock cart races and cockfights.

The fourth day of Pongal is known as Kaanum Pongal or Thiruvalluvar Day. On this day, people visit their relatives and friends to exchange gifts and enjoy feasts. Kaanum Pongal is also a time for thanksgiving when people express their gratitude for all the good things in. During Pongal, homes are decorated with kolams (rangoli), fresh flowers and banana leaves. Families dress up in new clothes and gather together to enjoy feasts and special sweets. They also exchange gifts and visit temples to offer prayers. [Read more]

As per the notification issued by the Tamil Nadu Government on holidays during the year 2023, the holiday list is given in the month of January 2023;

The Pongal holidays in Andhra Pradesh are set to begin on January 14th and continue until January 18th. The festival is celebrated to mark the start of the harvest season, and is one of the most important festivals in the state. On Pongal day, families gather together to offer prayers and thanksgiving to the sun god, Surya. They also exchange gifts and enjoy traditional foods.

The Pongal holidays in Telangana are set to begin on January 14th and end on January 18th, 2023. The festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of the harvest season, and is one of the most important festivals in the state. On the first day of the festival, known as Bhogi, people light bonfires and offer prayers to Lord Indra, the god of rain. The second day, known as Sankranti, is when the sun enters the Makara rasi, or Capricorn sign. This day is considered to be auspicious for starting new ventures. People take baths in holy rivers and offer prayers to the sun god, Surya. The third day, known as Mattu Pongal, is dedicated to cattle. Cattle are decorated with flowers and given a special bath. They are also offered food as a thanksgiving for their hard work during the year. The fourth and final day of the festival is known as Kanum Pongal. This day is devoted to family and friends, and people exchange gifts and enjoy feasts together.

In accordance with the Telangana State School Academic Calendar 2022-2023, the Department of School Education has issued orders for Sankranthi Holidays for Telangana Schools from 13 to 17 January 2023 (five days). The Education Ministry has decided to grant a period of six days for Sankranthi Holidays for public and private educational institutions in Telangana, from 13-01-2023 to 17-01-2023. Telangana Schools will resume operations on 18 January 2023.

Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. It is also celebrated in the Union Territory of Puducherry. The festival is celebrated from the last day of the Tamil month of Margazhi to the third day of the month of Thai. Pongal 2023 will be celebrated from January 14 to January 17.

The first day of Pongal is Bhogi. On this day, people clean their houses and decorate them with fresh flowers. They also burn old clothes and belongings to signify letting go of the past and starting anew. The second day is Surya Pongal, which is dedicated to the sun god. People offer prayers to the sun god and prepare special dishes like sweet pongal (a rice pudding made with jaggery, milk and ghee) and ven pongal (a savory dish made with rice, moong dal, ginger, pepper and cumin).

The third day is Mattu Pongal, which is dedicated to cattle. Cattle are decorated with bells and garlands and given a special bath. This day is also considered to be a thanksgiving day for all the animals that help us in our daily lives. The fourth and final day is Kaanum Pongal, which is a day for family gatherings and feasting.

Pongal is one of the most important festivals in South India. It is a time for family, friends and community to come together and celebrate the harvest season.