In the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Pongal is a well-known harvest festival. This four-day festival starts in Tamil month of Thai, which typically falls between January and February.

Pongal marks the beginning of the Tamil month called Thai, which is also considered an auspicious month. The dish for pongal is made on this auspicious day. Pongal, a season of joy, love, and gratitude for the bountiful harvests of the previous year, is regarded as auspicious.