Celebrated by South Indian communities all over the world, Pongal is an important festival that commemorates the rice harvest. It is observed in the 10th month of the Tamil calendar, known as Thai, which is considered the most auspicious month of the year. And this year, it falls on January 14.
The festival got its name from the sweet rice which is boiled in milk until it overflows and offered as an offering to Surya the Sun God for the blessings of a rich harvest. It marks a time of thanksgiving for both agricultural communities and non-farming ones like Singapore.
From now until January 17, you can welcome the harvest festival with a hearty “pongalo pongal!” (hail Pongal) with Indian Heritage Centre's (IHC) hybrid online and on-site Pongal Day Out where an array of immersive cultural activities awaits. Over at the centre, you can try your hands on urban gardening and harvesting workshops, and take on an educational walk through bustling Campbell Lane to soak in the sights and sounds of the festival. Look out for the magnificent light displays at Little India too.
Continue the festivities at home with online activities that include a TikTok Pongal dance challenge and a special interactive learning portal to better understand the festival. With Pongal Day Out, there is something for everyone to explore this Pongal. For more information, visit indianheritage.org.sg or IHC’s Facebook page.