What is the first day of Pongal known as?

The first day of the Pongal festival is known as "Bhogi Pongal." Bhogi Pongal is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai, which usually falls on January 14th each year. Pongal is a four-day harvest festival predominantly celebrated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in some other parts of South India.

Bhogi Pongal is marked by various customs and rituals. One significant tradition is the bonfire (known as Bhogi Mantalu) where people gather old and unwanted items, such as clothes and materials, and burn them as a symbolic act of letting go of the old and welcoming the new. The bonfire is meant to signify the destruction of evil and the beginning of a new, prosperous phase.

On Bhogi Pongal, people also clean and decorate their homes, draw colorful kolams (rangoli) in front of their houses, and prepare traditional foods. The festivities set the stage for the continuation of Pongal celebrations over the following three days—Thai Pongal, Maatu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal—each with its own significance and customs. The Pongal festival is a time for expressing gratitude to nature, celebrating the harvest, and fostering a sense of community and joy.