"Pongal" literally translates boiling over. It means boiling over in celebration, thankfulness, and joyful. It's a celebration of harvest. And it marks the transit of the Sun from the sign of Saggitarius to the sign of Capricorn.

Thai Pongal is celebrated on the first day of the month of Thai according to the Tamil Almanac. Hindus make "Sakkarai Pongal" (sweet rice) and offer it to Sun God. Firecrackers are lit to signify the moment of boiling over.

Celebrators say that Thai Pongal is the merriest of festivals.