Bhogi Pongal 2026: Date, Rituals, and Cultural Significance Revealed

• Bhogi Pongal marks the first day of the four-day Pongal festival, celebrated with great fervour in Tamil Nadu and by Tamil communities worldwide.
• Dedicated to Lord Indra, the festival signifies new beginnings, with people discarding old items and lighting bonfires to welcome positivity.
• In 2026, Bhogi Pongal falls on January 13, the day before Makar Sankranti, celebrated across various Indian states.
• Rituals include decorating homes with marigold flowers and mango leaves, making 'Kolam' with rice flour, and displaying 'Bommala Koluvu' doll arrangements.
• Children are showered with Regi Pallu (Ber fruit) and other items to ward off the evil eye and bless them with health and prosperity.

Why It Matters: Bhogi Pongal 2026 celebrates new beginnings, discarding old, and welcoming prosperity with unique rituals and cultural significance.