The festival is marked by preparing the pongal sweet dish. It is first offered to the gods and then shared among family members. In some communities, it is also offered to a cow.
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A harvest festival celebrated in southern India, especially among the Tamil community, Pongal is observed at the start of the month Tai, according to the Tamil solar calendar. Much like Makar Sankranti, Pongal too is dedicated to the Hindu sun god, Surya.
This year, Pongal falls between January 15 and January 18, according to the Gregorian calendar.
Traditionally, the festival is named after Pongal, the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with jaggery.
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