Try GOLD - Free

HOMECOMING FOR PONGAL TRADITIONS AS EXTENDED HOLIDAYS ADD MORE COLOURS

The New Indian Express

|

January 14, 2025

This year's festival is extra special as people get ample time to celebrate with families in their hometown

HOMECOMING FOR PONGAL TRADITIONS AS EXTENDED HOLIDAYS ADD MORE COLOURS

PONGAL, the harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, has always been a time for families to come together, offer gratitude to nature, and share joy. However, this year's celebrations have been more special as the people get to observe an extended period of festivities, giving them ample time to make the trip to their hometown.

The state government had announced January 17 as a holiday for government offices, public sector undertakings, schools, and colleges on popular request. The Pongal festival falls on January 15 and is followed by holidays on January 16, 18 and 19.

To make the most of this extended break, many residents are planning to visit their relatives and friends in rural areas, where the Pongal celebrations are typically more vibrant. The festival involves colourful decorations, traditional food, and vibrant cultural performances. With the extended holiday, people in the state are looking forward to a fun-filled and relaxing break.

MORE STORIES FROM The New Indian Express

The New Indian Express

The New Indian Express

Gor to talk ties with Indian officials during his India visit till Oct 14

US Ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a six-day visit, soon after his confirmation by the US Senate-a signal seen as both sides are looking to accelerate diplomatic engagement, defuse trade tensions, and potentially lay the groundwork for a meeting between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.

time to read

2 mins

October 11, 2025

The New Indian Express

The New Indian Express

Thousands return home as Gaza truce takes effect

Israel completes first phase of pullback Under Trump’s peace plan

time to read

1 mins

October 11, 2025

The New Indian Express

Amid India visit by minister, Taliban says Pak bombed Kabul

THE Taliban government on Friday accused Pakistan of \"violating Kabul's sovereign territory\", a day after two explosions were heard in the capital.

time to read

1 mins

October 11, 2025

The New Indian Express

The New Indian Express

Munambam land not Waqf property, rules Kerala HC

BRINGING relief to the residents of Munambam, the Kerala High Court has ruled that the land where around 600 families from fishing communities-reside is not waqf property.

time to read

1 mins

October 11, 2025

The New Indian Express

The New Indian Express

Karur deaths: SC questions HC over SIT probe

Apex court also asked how the postmortem of victims was conducted at midnight and completed within four hours

time to read

2 mins

October 11, 2025

The New Indian Express

The New Indian Express

Eight killed as two strong quakes strike Philippines

TWO powerful quakes struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, killing at least eight people and triggering tsunami warnings.

time to read

1 min

October 11, 2025

The New Indian Express

GOOD SPORTS DRAMA, BETTER CHARACTER STUDY

THEY say, “Nice guys finish last.” Mark Kerr may be a great mixed martial artist in the ring, but is he really a nice person outside of it? perhaps no, but the best thing about director Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine is that it never gives you any easy answers.

time to read

3 mins

October 11, 2025

The New Indian Express

'Centre failed to inspect drug manufacturing units'

MaSu says union health ministry didn't hold inspection for last 6 years

time to read

2 mins

October 11, 2025

The New Indian Express

The New Indian Express

Because of our struggle guv is now learning to speak Tamil: Udhaya

DMK youth wing secretary and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said that it was because of Tamil Nadu's struggle that Governor R N Ravi is now learning to speak Tamil, or else \"all of us would have been speaking Hindi by now\".

time to read

1 min

October 11, 2025

The New Indian Express

Sanitary workers try to petition corporation commissioner, detained

HUNDREDS of conservancy workers, who have been demanding regularisation of their employment under the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) for the past 71 days through various modes of protest, were detained when they tried to enter Ripon building on Friday to submit a petition in this regard to GCC Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran.

time to read

1 mins

October 11, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size