Pongal is the 3 day harvest festival that falls in the month of Thai, corresponding with the solar equinox. It is marked by the cooking of the rice from the first harvest after the long and arduous winter.

The word "Pongal" refers to the dish of sweet rice  prepared on this occasion. The festival is celebrated widely in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The time of the festival is of great importance to all Hindus, as it corresponds to the solar equinox when the days begin to lengthen and the nights begin to wane. According to the Hindu mythology, this is when the day of the gods begin, after a six month long night. The festival is spread over three days and is the most important and most fervently celebrated harvest festival of South India. 

A special puja is performed on the first day of Pongal before the cutting of the paddy. Farmers worship the sun and the earth by anointing their ploughs and sickles with sandalwood paste. It is with these consecrated tools that the newly-harvested rice is cut. 

specially prepared on that day! Pongal literally means "to boil" in Tamil, and the day begins at sunrise with married women mixing up a big pot of milk, newly-harvested rice and ghee. The mixture is put on the fire, and as it begins to simmer the family chants "Pongal! Pongal!". This ritual symbolizes the plentiful harvest, and part of the sticky concoction is set out as an offering to the sun and to Ganesh. 

The second day of Pongal is known as SURYA PONGAL and is dedicated to the Sun God. On this day the granaries are full, sun shines brightly, trees are in full bloom, bird-songs resound in the air and hearts overflow with happiness that get translated into colourful and joyous celebrations. A plank is placed on the ground and Kolam designs are drawn on its sides. In the centre of the plank is drawn a large figure of the Sun God with his effulgent rays. The "Puja" of the Sun God starts after the auspicious moment of the birth of the new month THAI. Prayers are rendered to the Sun God to seek his benedictions.