Quick answer
Pongal 2027 runs from Thursday 14 January (Bhogi) to Sunday 17 January (Kaanum Pongal), with Thai Pongal itself on Friday 15 January, so it makes a four-day weekend. Kodaikanal is busy with Tamil Nadu holiday traffic, nights are cold at roughly 8–10°C and days are dry and clear. Book rooms several weeks ahead and plan to arrive on Wednesday or Thursday morning.
Updated
Pongal is the Tamil harvest festival, and for many families in Tamil Nadu the long weekend around it is a short hill-station trip. In Kodaikanal it is not a big public event the way the Flower Show is. It is a busy holiday weekend with cold clear weather, full roads and rooms that sell out early. This guide covers the 2027 dates and what to plan for.
Pongal 2027 dates
| Day | Date (2027) | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bhogi | Thursday, 14 January | Day before the harvest festival; homes are cleaned and old items discarded |
| Thai Pongal | Friday, 15 January | Main day; the Pongal dish is cooked and offered to the sun |
| Mattu Pongal | Saturday, 16 January | Day for cattle, which are washed and decorated |
| Kaanum Pongal | Sunday, 17 January | Family outings and get-togethers |
Calendars can differ by a day because the main day depends on when the sun enters Makara (Sankranti). Most sources give Friday 15 January 2027 for Thai Pongal. The Tamil Nadu government holiday list for 2027 was not yet published when we checked, so confirm your leave dates once it is out.
Pongal in Kodaikanal
Pongal here is mostly celebrated at home and in temples, as in the rest of the state. Expect kolam designs at doorsteps, Pongal being cooked outdoors in the morning, and cattle decorated in the villages around the plateau on Mattu Pongal. We have not found a confirmed official festival programme for Kodaikanal at Pongal, so treat any posted "Pongal festival" schedule as unconfirmed until the organiser or the district tourism office announces it.
Crowds and traffic on the long weekend
- Thursday to Sunday is the busy stretch. Arrivals peak on Thursday and Friday morning, departures on Sunday afternoon and evening.
- The Ghat road and the town centre around the lake slow down, and parking near the lake and Coaker's Walk fills early.
- Visit viewpoints such as Pillar Rocks and Dolphin's Nose early, before about 10 AM.
- Road conditions can change, so check our road conditions page before you leave.
Weather in mid-January
Mid-January is cold, dry and usually clear in the afternoons.
| Time of day | Typical conditions |
|---|---|
| Early morning | About 8–10°C, mist over the lake |
| Afternoon | About 15–23°C, mostly sunny |
| Night | About 8–10°C, can feel colder in the wind |
Pack a warm jacket, thermals and closed shoes. See our winter and frost season guide for more on cold mornings and viewpoints in clear winter air.
Hotel prices and booking advice
- Pongal is a holiday weekend, so rates generally go up and the better-located rooms go first. We do not quote a fixed Pongal price because it changes by hotel.
- Book from late November to mid-December. Families and groups should book earliest.
- Ask for the full price for the exact nights, including taxes, heating and parking, and keep the confirmation in writing.
- If you can choose, arrive on Wednesday 13 January or Thursday morning, and leave on Monday for a quieter drive.
- Staying on Friday and Saturday nights costs more than a Sunday to Tuesday stay for the same room.
See Kodaikanal hotels to compare areas, or use the booking block below to ask us for rooms near the lake.
What to do
- Walk around the lake in the morning, then take a boat ride before the afternoon queues.
- Go to Coaker's Walk and Bryant Park in the early morning or late afternoon.
- If you also want Christmas and New Year, see Christmas and New Year in Kodaikanal; this page covers only the Pongal weekend.
Sources
Dates compared across Drik Panchang, Hindutone and PublicHolidays.in on 18 October 2026. Mid-January temperatures are consistent with the figures on our other winter pages and a local hotel guide for Pongal. Please verify against the Tamil Nadu government notification.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Pongal 2027 dates?
Bhogi is Thursday 14 January 2027, Thai Pongal is Friday 15 January, Mattu Pongal is Saturday 16 January and Kaanum Pongal is Sunday 17 January. Some calendars place the main day on 14 or 15 January depending on the Sankranti time, so check the Tamil Nadu government holiday notice when it is published.
Is Kodaikanal crowded during Pongal?
Yes, expect a busy long weekend. Many families from Madurai, Chennai, Coimbatore and Kerala take the holiday days to visit, so the lake, Coaker's Walk and the Ghat road see heavy traffic, especially on Friday and Saturday. Weekday visits just before or after the festival are much quieter.
What is the weather in Kodaikanal in mid-January?
Mornings and nights are cold, usually around 8–10°C, with mist over the lake. Afternoons are mostly sunny and dry, around 15–23°C. January is one of the driest months, but carry a warm jacket and a light rain layer.
Do hotel prices go up during Pongal?
Rates usually rise for the Pongal long weekend and the best-located rooms sell out first. We do not publish a fixed Pongal tariff because it varies by hotel and date, so ask the hotel for the exact rate and what is included before you pay an advance.
Are shops and attractions open on Pongal days?
Most tourist attractions and hotels stay open because it is a peak holiday for visitors, but some local shops, offices and small eateries may close on Thai Pongal day itself. Check opening hours on the day and keep a plan B for meals on 15 January.
When should I book a Pongal stay in Kodaikanal?
Start looking from late November and book by mid-December if you want a lake-side or town-centre room, especially if you are travelling as a family or group. Last-minute rooms are usually further from the centre.
