Pongal 2025

Here’s a guide to the traditional harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil and Hindu communities in Singapore and beyond.

When is Pongal?

14 – 17 January 2025

What is Pongal?

Celebrated by the Tamil community, Pongal is a traditional harvest festival that marks the beginning of Thai, an auspicious month in the Tamil calendar. It typically falls on the 14th or 15th of January on the Gregorian calendar.

It is celebrated over four days, a sacred time where worshippers express gratitude to the Sun God Surya and the farm animals for a bountiful harvest.

What practices can be observed during Pongal?

Pongal

During the festival, a special dish of the same name is prepared and eaten. Pongal is a mixture of sweet-boiled rice made using newly harvested rice and lentils. The name is derived from the Tamil word pongu which means to boil over.

Rangoli

The Tamil community wears new clothes, exchanges presents and decorates their homes during the festival. You can also see Rangoli, where beautiful and colourful patterns are made with rice, flowers and powders on the ground.

Traditional dances

Traditional Indian folk dances are a mesmerising cultural art form that you can enjoy during Hindu celebrations including Pongal. There are many types of dances, including Mayilattam (Peacock Dance), Karakattam (Water Pot Dance) and Kolattam (Stick Dance).

Where to witness Pongal in Singapore?

Even though Pongal is not a public holiday in Singapore, and farming is not widely or commonly practised for obvious reasons in the urban city, the festival is still culturally relevant and celebrated in Singapore.

The vibrant precinct of Little India is the best place to witness Pongal celebrations. The Indian Heritage Centre, in partnership with the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA) curates colourful activities and programmes to celebrate this festival.

LEARN MORE ABOUT P0NGAL HERE