On Monday, the harvest festival Pongal was observed throughout Tamil Nadu, with lavish celebrations marking the beginning of the Tamil month “Thai.” At the same time as the festival, Madurai saw the start of the well-known Avaniapuram jallikattu, or bull-taming festival. Hundreds of eager tamers grabbed hold of the bulls’ hump in an attempt to slow them down.

In celebration of the arrival of the auspicious Tamil month “Thai,” people all around the state prepared the rice-and-jaggery sweet dish “Pongal,” which stands for prosperity.

People dressed in new clothes joyfully and fervently celebrated the festival, which was marked by the decorations of many houses.

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister M K Stalin, AIADMK general secretary and state Leader of Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami, DMK MP Kanimozhi, among others extended their Pongal greetings.

DMK Youth Wing chief and state minister Udhyanidhi Stalin wished everyone a happy Pongal and “Tamil New Year.” “Let Dravidian equality flourish and the backward Aryan customs die.” I’m wishing the Tamil New Year and #HappyPongal to all of you. “@astrokiru,” he wrote on ‘X.'”

Under its 2006–11 administration, the late M Karunanidhi-led DMK government altered the Tamil calendar, moving the traditionally celebrated Tamil New Year from April to January, which now falls on ‘Thai.’ But April, or the Tamil month “Chithirai,” was reinstated by the late J Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK government.

In a different video post, Udhayanidhi wished his supporters a happy Pongal and Tamil New Year. He also urged them to turn out in large numbers for the Salem Youth Wing Conference on January 21 because he believes it will open the door for change at the Center due to its emphasis on state rights.

In a few months, there will be parliamentary elections.