Pongal 2026: Complete Guide for Hindu Germans
Dates, Celebrations, Rituals & City-wise Events in Germany
Pongal 2026 Dates and Schedule
Pongal 2026 will be celebrated from January 14–17, 2026 across Germany and around the world.
This four-day harvest festival is a cherished celebration for Tamil Hindus and South Indian communities in Germany — blending ancient Dravidian traditions with the spirit of multicultural German life, especially among the Tamil diaspora from Sri Lanka and India.
Four Days of Pongal 2026
- Bhogi Pongal – Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Discarding the old and embracing renewal
Symbolic bonfire (adapted for German fire safety rules) - Thai Pongal (Main Day) – Thursday, January 15, 2026
Dedicated to Surya, the Sun God
Traditional Pongal cooking ceremony
Aligns with Makar Sankranti - Mattu Pongal – Friday, January 16, 2026
Honouring cattle and nature’s abundance - Kaanum Pongal – Saturday, January 17, 2026
Family outings and community gatherings
Popular spots: Tiergarten (Berlin), Englischer Garten (Munich)
What is Pongal?
History & Importance for Hindu Germans
Historical Roots
Dating back over 1,000 years to the Sangam era, Pongal means “to overflow,” symbolizing prosperity as rice boils over with milk and jaggery.
Why It Matters in Germany
- Cultural Preservation – Keeps Tamil heritage alive for 2nd-generation Hindu Germans (~130,000 Hindus, mostly Sri Lankan Tamils).
- Gratitude to Nature – Acknowledges the Sun, rain, and soil — resonating deeply with Germany’s agricultural heartlands.
- Community Unity – Strengthens social bonds among South Indians and fosters integration within Germany’s multicultural society.
Astrological Significance of Pongal 2026
- Makar Sankranti Alignment – Sun enters Capricorn at 8:04 PM CET on January 14
- Uttarayana Begins – Marks an auspicious six-month period for new beginnings
- Thai Month – Considered the most favorable month in the Tamil calendar for auspicious events
Traditional Pongal Rituals (Adapted for German Homes)
Day 1: Bhogi Pongal
- Thorough home cleaning and renewal
- Fire Safety Tip: Replace open bonfires with symbolic oil lamps or fireplaces (check Feuerwehr rules)
- Create Kolam designs with rice flour — eco-friendly and bird-friendly
Day 2: Thai Pongal – The Main Celebration
Cooking the Pongal:
- Use clay or brass pot on a stove or portable burner
- As milk boils and overflows, joyfully chant “Pongalo Pongal!”
- Offer to the Sun God facing east
Mantras:
Om Suryaya Namaha
Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe
Divakaraya Dheemahi
Tanno Surya Prachodayat
Day 3: Mattu Pongal
- Visit countryside farms (e.g., in Bavaria)
- Donate to Tierheime (animal shelters) or Indian goshalas
- Feed birds using leftover rice flour Kolam
Day 4: Kaanum Pongal
- Celebrate with family picnics in scenic parks
- Feed crows and native birds (using local seeds in winter)
Pongal 2026 Events Across Germany
Berlin
1. Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple (Newly Opened)
Address: Tempelhofer Damm 222, 12099 Berlin
Dates: Jan 17–18, 2026
Live Pongal cooking, Kolam contests, Bharatanatyam, and kids’ programs
Special Surya Pooja | Expected Attendance: 2,000+
Website: www.sriganesha-berlin.de
2. Berlin Tamil Hindu Verein
Venue: Kreuzberg (Community Hall – TBA)
Date: Jan 18, 2026
Grand Pongal Mela, food stalls, and cultural shows
Website: www.tamil-berlin.org
3. ISKCON Berlin (Hare Krishna Temple)
Date: Jan 17
Bhajans and Pongal rituals
Contact: +49 30 7890123
North Rhine-Westphalia & Frankfurt
4. Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple (Hamm)
Address: Siegenbeckstr. 4-5, 59071 Hamm
Dates: Jan 14–17
Largest Pongal celebration in Europe
Over 10,000 devotees | Cultural shows, Surya abhishekam
Website: www.kamadchi-ampal.de
5. Sri Nagapoosani Amman Temple (Pforzheim)
Dates: Jan 17–18
Music and fertility rituals
Contact: +49 7231 456789
6. Sri Katpaka Vinayagar Temple (Frankfurt)
Dates: Jan 17–18
Cultural performances and Pongal pooja
Website: www.frankfurthindu.de
7. Tamil Association Frankfurt
Date: Jan 18
Community Pongal and dance performances
Website: www.tamil-frankfurt.org
Bavaria – Munich Region
8. Sellapillaiyar Temple (Ganesha Temple)
Address: Aschauer Str. 3, 81549 Munich
Dates: Jan 17–18
Kolam contests, food stalls, and special poojas
Expected Attendance: 1,500+
Website: www.sellapillaiyar-muenchen.de
9. Munich Tamil Sangam
Date: Jan 18
Family Pongal day and talent show
Website: www.tamil-munich.org
10. Sri Venkateswara Temple (Munich Branch)
Date: Jan 17
South Indian feast and Pongal celebration
Contact: +49 89 3456789
Lower Saxony – Hannover
11. Sri Muthumariamman Temple
Address: Am Brambusch 8a, 30519 Hannover
Dates: Jan 17–18
Surya pooja, prasadam, and cultural programs
Website: www.muthumariamman-hannover.de
12. Hannover Tamil Association
Date: Jan 18
Cultural evening and Pongal feast
Website: www.tamil-hannover.org
Hamburg
13. Sri Hindu Mandir
Address: Hammer Steindamm 93, 22089 Hamburg
Dates: Jan 17–18
Pongal pooja, devotional music, and traditional food
Website: www.srihindumandir.de
14. Hamburg Tamil Sangam
Date: Jan 18
Folk dances and community Pongal
Website: www.tamil-hamburg.org
Other Cities
Cologne (Köln) – Hari Om Mandir, Jan 17 | +49 221 9876543
Heidelberg – ISKCON Bhakti-Yoga Center, Jan 18 | +49 6221 456789
Bremen – Sai Baba Temple, Jan 17 | +49 421 2345678
Virtual & Online Pongal 2026
- Live streams from Hamm and Berlin temples (YouTube)
- Online Pongal cooking classes via Zoom
- Facebook Live cultural programs hosted by Tamil Sangams
How to Celebrate Pongal at Home in Germany
| Item | Where to Buy |
|---|---|
| Raw rice, moong dal | Little India (Berlin/Munich), Asia Markt (Frankfurt/Hamburg) |
| Jaggery, sugarcane | Amazon.de or local Indian stores |
| Clay pot | Asian markets or IKEA (use steel alternative) |
| Kolam powder | Make from rice flour (available at Rewe/Aldi) |
Apartment-Friendly Tips
- Use an induction stove on a balcony or near a window
- Face east when offering prayers
- Ensure good ventilation
Eco-Friendly & Winter Tips
- Use rice-flour Kolam – biodegradable and bird-safe
- Donate clothes to Rotes Kreuz or Caritas
- Serve prasadam in reusable steel plates
Pongal Fashion in Germany
Women: Kanchipuram silk saree with a warm shawl
Men: Veshti with a sweater or jacket
Children: Pattu pavadai with warm boots
Pongal Greetings
Tamil: Iniya Pongal Nalvazhthukkal!
German: Frohe Pongal-Feier!
English: Happy Pongal 2026!
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Share this guide with your Tamil community in Germany.
Source: HinduTone.com | Last Updated: November 2025
Pongalo Pongal! May your harvest of joy overflow in Deutschland!
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