Pongal Holiday Announced In Kerala: These 6 Districts To Observe Local Holiday On January 15
The Kerala government has announced a local holiday for Pongal celebrations in select districts of the state.
The holiday will be observed on Thursday, January 15, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Palakkad, and Wayanad, according to local media.
According to the official state calendar, the holiday has been declared to mark Thai Pongal, which coincides with Makara Sankranti celebrations.
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While Pongal is mainly associated with Tamil Nadu, the festival is also celebrated in parts of Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh under different names and traditions. In Kerala, Thai Pongal holds cultural significance, especially in regions with a strong Tamil population.
In Tamil Nadu, the state government has declared a three-day Pongal holiday from January 15 to 17, with Sunday falling in between.
Despite demands from several quarters, the Tamil Nadu government has not declared January 14 (Bhogi Pongal) as a public holiday. However, the state has distributed Pongal gift hampers and ₹3,000 financial assistance to ration card holders, with distribution beginning on January 8.
Pongal Festival Dates:
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January 14 (Wednesday): Bhogi Pongal
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January 15 (Thursday): Thai Pongal (main celebration; holiday in select Kerala districts)
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January 16 (Friday): Mattu Pongal / Thiruvalluvar Day
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January 17 (Saturday): Kaanum Pongal / Uzhavar Thirunal
The festival is marked by grand celebrations in Tamil Nadu, with families coming together to welcome prosperity, harvest, and gratitude towards nature and the Sun God.
