Thai Pongal is the festival that celebrates harvesting in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The word Pongal literally means "to boil over or to spill over." Milk is boiled over in a clay pot symbolizing the material abundance in the family.

This festival was traditionally celebrated to thank the Sun God for the good harvest. Historic evidence shows that Thai Pongal has been celebrated for more than 1000 years.

On he eve of Pongal, the family assembles and discards all old belongings to be lighted in a bon fire denoting leaving off ill lucks of yesterday and focusing on a new beginning. The whole house will be cleaned, freshly painted and beautifully decorated as part of the festival.

The major function of the festival is to cook rice with fresh milk and jaggery in a new clay pot which will be boiled over denoting the abundance of harvest.

A beautiful design will be etched to the door step called Kolam using colored powder. The family elders exchange gifts with others denoting prosperity and happiness.

Another tradition followed during pongal by the women of the house who cook and offer differently colored rice to birds to ensure well-being of their brothers. This is believed to make the love and affection between the brother and sister stronger.

Pongal is the festival during which people visit relatives and friends. Traditionally this was to thank the relatives and friends for the support extended during the harvest. Nowadays, this festival acts as a day for family reunion.