Celebrating Pongal: A Joyous Tradition at Little Sisters of the Poor in South India!

Pongal is a four-day Tamil harvest festival -  Bhogi Pongal, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. It is marked by cooking an overflowing rice dish (also called Pongal) as a symbol of abundance, expressing gratitude for the year's crops, cleaning homes, decorating with kolams, and family gatherings, with each day having specific rituals for Bhogi, Surya (Sun), Mattu (Cattle), and Kaanum Pongal. Pongal is usually celebrated between 13 and 16 January. The four days - - have their separate significance. Thai Pongal on January 14 corresponds with the Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival that is celebrated across India under various regional names.

BANGALORE ST JOSEPH

In Bangalore St Joseph it was celebrated on 15th January 2026. All the elderly Residents were assembled in the front garden, In front of the statue of St Joseph, everything was set up for pongal celebration, with sugar cane etc. As it was being cooked the Little Sisters, employees, residents and students performed the kolattam dance. Then pongal was distributed to all.

CHENNAI

The Little Sisters of the Poor in Chennai celebrated “Pongal” after the thanksgiving mass for all the blessings God has bestowed on the farmers. Father Simon Raj, the Resident Priest said that the first Pongal was celebrated by Abel & Cain who offered their first and best fruit to the Lord. It was a very joyful day for each and every one together with neighbours who came for mass. They joined them to share the sweet Pongal made by the Residents and the kitchen staff in the open space where the sun rays  touched the Cooking pot.

COONOOR

The Little Sisters of the Poor in Coonoor, Nilgris celebrated the festival of Pongal with their elderly Residents and the people of neighbourhood, on 13^th January 2026 presided by the City Ward member Mr. Manzoor. It is Samathuva Pongal which means Hindus, Muslims and Christians all together celebrated the festival.

Although this festival was celebrated in Tamil Nadu on January 15^th, in schools, colleges and many other places it is being celebrated earlier. During the festival the elderly Residents, people of Coonoor and the employees danced joyfully at the rhythm of music, At the end, Pongal was distributed to one and all.

BANGALORE PERPETUAL SECOURS

The Little Sisters of the Poor in Bangalore Perpetual Secours had a Pongal celebration after Mass. A passing priest, Fr. Mathew offered a prayer thanking God for the harvest festival and as he was finishing the prayers the pongal rice overflowed as God's abundant blessings flooded over all. Then, the sweet pongal was distributed to all present.

TUTICORIN

"Our home in Tuticorin transformed into a vibrant hub for Pongal on the previous day of the celebration by preparing colorful Kollam’s decorating at the entrance of the home.

At 7am Eucharistic celebration was solemnly celebrated by Fr. M. Thomas, he integrated Pongal celebration into a Eucharistic celebration and  it is the highest form of Thanksgiving in honoring God as the Creator, offering first fruits of the harvest as an offering, and celebrating God’s grace as an overflowing blessing”. In his homily Father mentioned that we need to pray very much for farmers so that they may get good weather to produce good harvest.

After Mass all Residents and employees gathered in traditional attire, with some friends and volunteers of the home jointly preparing the sweet, savory rice dish in a traditional pot at the entrance of the Home fostering a deep sense of unity and gratitude for the harvest". 

Our employees made beautiful Kolam decorations in front of our house near the portico and a new mud pot for sweet Pongal with all the ingredients was kept ready. Sr. Ann Elizabeth (Assistant) blessed the fire.  All the residents were seated around that.  Little sisters, Residents, and employees danced around the pot while music was played. When the sweet Pongal was ready, our resident priest Fr. Deva Nava Mani blessed it and we served it to all the residents. Every one enjoyed to their hearts content this harvest festival.