The history of Pongal is known to exist since ancient times. The origin of the festival can be traced back to the Sangam Age in the era of 200 BC to 300 AD as per the Sanskrit Puranas, and it is known as a Dravidian Harvest Festival. Historians have identified the festival with the Thai Un and Thai Niradal, which are believed to have been celebrated during the Sangam Age. It is observed in the month of Thai according to the Tamil solar calendar and usually falls on 14 or 15 January; hence, it is also referred to as Thai Pongal. “Pongal” signifies “overflow or to boil,” which is made from the fresh and first rice harvest cooked in jaggery and milk.

It is a festival celebrated across four days to mark the beginning of the harvest season dedicated to the Hindu Lord Surya. The principal theme of Pongal is thanking the sun god Surya, the forces of nature, and the farm animals and people who support agriculture. The significance of pongal festival is mentioned in an inscription in the Viraraghava temple attributed to the Chola king Kulottunga I (1070–1122 CE), which describes a grant of land to the temple for celebrating the annual Pongal festivities. 

There are also some legends associated with the celebration of Pongal. One is associated with Lord Shiva and another with Lord Indra and Lord Krishna. 

According to Hindu tradition, the festival marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of the sun’s six-month-long journey northwards as the sun enters Capricorn, also called Uttarayan. The celebrations take place over four days, starting with Bhogi Pongal, then Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal and lastly Kanum Pongal, marking the end of the festivities. 

Bhogi Pongal marks the beginning of the festivities. It is celebrated on the last day of the month of Margazhi. It’s a day dedicated to cleaning and getting rid of old things. People gather and discard unused items, symbolising the discarding of the old to make way for the new. Bonfires are lit, and there is a sense of renewal in the air as households prepare for the four days of pongal celebration ahead.

Surya Pongal, also called Perum Pongal, is the second day, the primary day of Pongal. On this day, the traditional dish called “Pongal Sweet” is cooked. This delicacy is made from newly harvested rice boiled with milk and jaggery, symbolising prosperity and abundance. Women decorate the central courtyard of their homes with beautiful rangoli kolam designs, done with rice flour and bordered with red clay. Families come together to cook and share this dish, offering thanks to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest.

On the third day, Mattu Pongal is dedicated to expressing gratitude to the animals, particularly cattle, which play a crucial role in agriculture. Jallikattu pongal is a village sport that is observed on the third day Cattle are adorned with colourful decorations, and special prayers are offered to them. This day acknowledges the significance of these animals in the farming community and expresses gratitude for their hard work.

Some Tamils celebrate a fourth day called Kanum Pongal. It is that part of the festival when families used to gather on the riverbanks and have a sumptuous meal. It is also time for some traditional dances such as kummi and kolattam. Special prayers are offered by women for the well-being of their brothers.

Pongal ushers in the New Year in Tamil Nadu. Newly harvested grains are cooked for the first time on that day. Joyous festivities mark the celebration in every home. The poor are fed and clothed. 

Among its many facets, the significance of being clad in traditional attire during the auspicious occasion of Pongal shines brightly. As families gather to honour the abundant harvest and offer gratitude to Lord Surya, their choice of clothing becomes more than just a matter of personal style; it reflects their cultural identity and a testament to the rich heritage passed down by their ancestors. Typically, women are dressed in sarees or pattu pavadais, while men don the pongal angavastram. 

Women traditionally wear vibrant and intricately designed silk sarees during Pongal. These sarees often feature rich colours, intricate patterns, and embellishments, symbolising the joy and abundance of the harvest season. Most women would be seen adorned in Kanjivaram weaves throughout the state. Kanjivaram or Kanchipuram sarees find their roots in craftsmanship in the villages of Tamil Nadu. Silk woven to perfection that depicts stories from the walls of the temples in Kanchipuram makes for a ceremonial choice during the festivities. The saree, with its cultural significance and timeless appeal, remains a beloved choice for women participating in the Pongal festivities, reflecting their pride in their heritage and adding to the colourful ambience of the celebration.

Young girls deck up in Pattu Pavadais. The pavadai is a cone-shaped, long skirt that is pleated and tied around the waist, generally made of silk or cotton, that hangs down from the waist to the toes. It usually has a contrasting border at the bottom, a distinctive feature of any textile from the South. The top or choli is a blouse shell garment, which is cut to fit the body and has a styled neckline and short sleeves. The pattu pavadai is worn by young girls before they hit puberty as a symbol of innocence and purity. Once they have hit puberty and as they wait until they get married, they are seen draped in davani, also known as a half saree. 

According to customs, rituals and traditions of pongal, men wear traditional attire such as dhotis or veshtis during Pongal. These are typically made of cotton or silk and are worn wrapped around the waist and legs, enabling easy movement during the festivities. Dhotis and veshtis come in various colours and designs, but white is a common choice as it symbolises purity and auspiciousness. Men may also pair their dhotis or veshtis with a matching or contrasting shirt, completing their festive attire. Additionally, some men may choose to wear kurta pyjamas or traditional South Indian attire such as angavastram or angiyar pancha. Angavastram, also known as  Thundu is traditionally a white piece of cloth or stole that is draped over the shoulders. It is a long rectangular cloth meant to cover the torso. More often than not, for the common folk, cotton is predominantly preferred as the fabric of choice for an angavastram. However, silk, particularly Matka silk, is used for the angavastram worn for religious reasons. 

Overall, the attire worn by men during Pongal reflects the cultural heritage and values cherished by the community while adding to the festive ambience of the celebration.

As we move towards a more modern age, men and women are adapting to the times and preferring an indo-western approach to fashion during these festivities.