Addressing those present, PM Modi said Pongal has transcended regional boundaries to become a global celebration of Tamil culture. “Today, Pongal is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the world by the Tamil community and by those who admire Tamil culture. I am proud to be among them,” he said.
The Prime Minister highlighted Pongal’s significance as a festival that honours farmers, the land and the Sun. He noted that the occasion reflects gratitude not just in words, but through daily actions that respect nature and sustain livelihoods. “Pongal teaches us the importance of maintaining a balance between nature, family and society. Gratitude should be part of life, not merely an expression,” he added.
PM Modi also referred to his recent engagements with Tamil heritage, calling them deeply enriching. He recalled visiting the over 1,000-year-old Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, witnessing Tamil traditions during the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi, and experiencing cultural pride during the inauguration of the Pamban Bridge in Rameswaram. He described Tamil culture as one of the world’s oldest living civilizations that continues to guide future generations.
Linking tradition with sustainability, the Prime Minister stressed the need to protect soil health, conserve water and ensure balanced use of natural resources. He said initiatives such as Mission LiFE, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and Amrit Sarovar reflect the same values that Pongal embodies—responsibility towards the earth and future generations.
Union Minister L Murugan and family members hosted the celebration, which included preparation of traditional dishes such as Sakkarai Pongal (sweet) and Ven Pongal (savory), cooked with newly harvested rice. These dishes, traditionally prepared in earthen pots in open spaces, are central to Pongal rituals, with the symbolic overflowing of milk and rice considered a sign of prosperity.
Pongal, a major harvest festival of the Tamil community, is celebrated annually between January 14 and 17, coinciding with Makar Sankranti. The four-day festival—Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal—honours the Sun God, nature, cattle and farmers.
The Prime Minister’s participation was seen as a reaffirmation of cultural inclusivity and recognition of India’s diverse traditions within the national ethos.
