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About Kaanum Pongal

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About Kaanum Pongal

Kaanum Pongal is the fourth and last day of the Pongal festival. Kaanum means "to see": it is the day for visiting relatives and friends and seeking the blessings of elders.

Families pack food and go out together to beaches, parks, rivers and temples. Younger people touch the feet of elders and receive blessings and small gifts, and the leftover festival sweets are shared.

In many homes, women place coloured rice and food for birds on the terrace in the morning and pray for the well-being of their brothers and families.

  • Fourth day of Pongal
  • Mid-January
  • Family outings and visits
  • Tamil Nadu

Where it began

After Bhogi, Thai Pongal and Mattu Pongal, the harvest festival closes with Kaanum Pongal, a day to look outward and meet the people who matter.

In many homes, women and girls place leftover pongal and other dishes on a turmeric leaf in the courtyard and pray for the well-being of their brothers. This custom is known as kanu pidi.

Younger people touch the feet of elders and receive blessings and gifts. The day carries the warmth of the harvest into the family and the village.

Chennai's beaches fill with families on Kaanum PongalMarina Beach, Chennai

How it grew over time

  1. Old village custom

    The end of the harvest was a time for villages to come together for games, visits and fairs.

  2. Rural sports

    In some villages, games and bull-taming events are held around the Pongal days.

  3. City life

    In Chennai and other cities the day grew into a day of outings to beaches and parks.

  4. Today

    Families pack food and spend the day together outdoors or visiting relatives.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Chennai

    Marina and Elliot's beaches fill with families enjoying the day together.

  • Villages of Tamil Nadu

    Relatives visit each other, and elders bless the young with gifts.

  • Tamil Brahmin homes

    Kanu pidi offerings of rice are placed for birds and crows.

  • Tamil families abroad

    Communities hold picnics and get-togethers to close the Pongal season.

Kaanum Pongal moments

The lighthouse by Marina Beach, a favourite outing spotChennai, Tamil Nadu
A village gathers for the Pongal daysTamil Nadu
Pots set out in a row for a shared Pongal celebrationTamil Nadu
A festive kolam at the doorstepTamil Nadu

Kaanum Pongal today

It is a cheerful day off. Families visit grandparents, go on picnics, and share the last of the sweet pongal. Parks, zoos and beaches are busy with happy crowds.

How people celebrate Kaanum Pongal

  • Visiting relatives and elders
  • Family outings to beaches and parks
  • Packed lunches and shared sweets
  • Feeding birds with coloured rice
  • Blessings and small gifts for the young

How to wish well

  • Send wishes on the morning of Kaanum Pongal, the day after Mattu Pongal.
  • It is the perfect day to call relatives you have not met in a while.
  • A wish about meeting, family and togetherness fits the day best.

Questions about Kaanum Pongal

When is Kaanum Pongal 2027?

Kaanum Pongal is two days after Thai Pongal, the third day of the month of Thai. In 2027 it is on 17 January; see the date shown on this page.

What is the meaning of Kaanum Pongal?

Kaanum means "seeing". It is the day for meeting relatives and friends at the end of the Pongal festival.

How is Kaanum Pongal celebrated?

Families visit elders, go on outings to beaches and parks, share food and feed birds with coloured rice.

What do you say on Kaanum Pongal?

Say "Happy Kaanum Pongal" or, in Tamil, "இனிய காணும் பொங்கல் வாழ்த்துகள்".

How many days is Pongal?

Four days: Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal.

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