Ashhar Alam

Tamil Nadu came alive on Thursday as millions across the state celebrated Thai Pongal, the traditional harvest festival, with vibrant religious and cultural fervour.

The festivities began with Bhogi on Wednesday and peaked Thursday morning, as families woke early to cook Pongal in earthen pots, chanting “Pongalo Pongal”,a ritual symbolizing prosperity and abundance.

National and state leaders joined in the celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a vibrant Pongal event at Union Minister L. Murugan’s residence in New Delhi, calling the festival a “global celebration” that showcases Tamil culture.

Best wishes on Pongal! pic.twitter.com/5ULZS6K7fH

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2026

Clad in traditional attire, the PM joined in cooking Pongal, while singer-actor Sivakarthikeyan and music director G. V. Prakash enhanced the atmosphere with performances of Thiruvasagam.

On social media, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and other leaders shared festive greetings. Governor R.N. Ravi expressed gratitude to Mother Earth and the Sun God, emphasizing Pongal as a celebration of India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

புதுப்பானையில் புத்தரிசிப் பொங்கலெனப் பொங்கிட, இனித்திடும் செங்கரும்பைச் சுவைத்து, செங்கதிரோனைப் போற்றிடும் #தமிழர்_திருநாள்-இல், தமிழர் வாழ்வு செழித்திட வாழ்த்துகிறேன்!

தமிழர் உள்ளங்களிலும் இல்லங்களிலும் பொங்கிடும் இந்த மகிழ்ச்சிப் பொங்கல், #DravidianModel 2.0-வில்… pic.twitter.com/SguwduVKr5

— M.K.Stalin - தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) January 15, 2026

CM Stalin highlighted “Samuthuva Pongal”, promoting equality and breaking barriers of caste and religion, and led state secretariat celebrations where officials of all faiths joined in preparing the traditional dish. Similar events are being held across the state, including 450 village panchayats in Virudhunagar and all 15 zones of Greater Chennai Corporation, featuring folk performances like Parai music, Karagattam, and traditional games.

Opposition voices also extended greetings. AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami wished prosperity and development, while actor and TVK president Vijay called for strengthened bonds of brotherhood and equality.

Tamil cinema icons Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan led the film fraternity in festival wishes. Superstar Rajinikanth met fans outside Poes Garden, emphasizing farmers as the backbone of the country, while Haasan highlighted the festival’s spirit of renewal and cultural pride. Sivakarthikeyan shared family Pongal photos, delighting fans.

The festival also marked the Avaniyapuram Jallikattu in Madurai, a three-day bull-taming event with over 1,000 bulls and 550 registered tamers, held under strict Supreme Court guidelines.

Prizes included a new car for the best tamer and a tractor for the best bull’s owner. Earlier events in Pudukkottai have set the tone, with the world-famous Alanganallur Jallikattu scheduled for January 17.

Across the state, cultural events drew crowds. Chennai Sangamam, inaugurated by CM Stalin on January 14, continues with folk performances till January 18. The 49th Chennai Book Fair at YMCA Nandanam remains a major attraction, while Mamallapuram’s Indian Dance Festival brings international tourists to the Shore Temple.

பறை முழங்க, நிலம் அதிர, தொடங்கியது #ChennaiSangamam2026

நம் மண்ணின் மரபுக் கலைகளையும் கலைஞர்களையும் போற்றும் சென்னை சங்கமம் கலைவிழாவுடன் இந்தப் பொங்கலைக் கொண்டாடுவோம்!

உண்மையான அக்கறையோடும் உயர்வான நோக்கோடும் ஒவ்வொரு ஆண்டும் இதனை மேலும் மேலும் சிறப்பாக ஒருங்கிணைத்து வரும் தங்கை… pic.twitter.com/AOOKVjk44U

— M.K.Stalin - தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) January 14, 2026

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In Coimbatore, the Pongal Carnival at Tholuvam Pet Sanctuary welcomed families, and in Thanjavur, cattle were worshiped at the Big Temple for Mattu Pongal.

The film industry embraced the festive season, with theaters running at near-full capacity. Sivakarthikeyan’s ‘Parasakthi’, Karthi’s ‘Vaa Vaathiyaar’, and Jiiva’s ‘Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil’ led the box office, while fans flocked to the 10th-anniversary screening of actor Vijay’s ‘Theri’, keeping the Pongal cinematic clash alive.