Celebrate Pongal With Friends & Family At These Festive Specials In Chennai This Weekend

The beginning of the year is always such a great thing for food lovers, either you’re on a diet and you can only eat so many things, or you’ve decided to give up on your resolution to just focus on eating everything you can get your hands on. Either way, if you live in Tamil Nadu, Pongal is the best thing to start the year off with. It’s a Tamil harvest festival that runs for four days and it’s all about celebrating the harvest, as you might expect. One of the biggest things about Pongal is the pongal that is made and served.

There are two types of pongal served – Sakkara Pongal which is a sweet, and Venn Pongal, made from clarified butter. These are the two most commonly made and served types of pongal, the sweet pongal traditionally made in temples as prasadam. Venn Pongal is what is eaten during breakfast throughout the year all around Tamil Nadu.

But if you live in Chennai, or you’re in Chennai this weekend there are some Pongal celebrations that you can attend and celebrate with friends and family. Traditionally the family celebrates the festival with other members of the family, but if you’re feeling adventurous, here’s where you can celebrate Pongal in the city.

Taj Coromandel

Southern Spice is the best place to go if you’re looking for a traditional Pongal meal. Enjoy a thali of delicious Pongal specialities including Padaippu kozhambu, Sukiyan along with both kinds of Pongal to complete the meal. Settle in for a meal like no other, with friends, family or strangers just to get the full effect of the festival.

Date: January 14^th | Cost: Rs. 2,000 (all inclusive)

Taj Club House

The all-day diner, Club House, diners get to enjoy delicious Pongal dishes including sweet Pongal, regular Pongal and Karkandu Pongal. Plus, you can enjoy a proper meal and then end it all with different kinds of payasam.

Date: January 15^th | Cost: Rs. 2,000

The Gateway Hotel IT Expressway Chennai

Enjoy a delicious handcrafted and meticulously designed dinner buffet that spreads over two days at Buzz that includes Pongal specialities like Kadamba Sambar; Mochai Kalan Curry and a live counter that will make parathas as well.

Date: January 14^th & 15^th | Cost: Rs. 1,250 (plus taxes)

The Park Chennai

The Park is hosting a delicious festive lunch where you get to enjoy your Pongal meal the traditional way on a banana leaf. Treat yourself to an authentic kalyana saapadu with folk music performances and other great activities including a thappattam, tarot card reading and more. There are limited seats available, so make your book today!

Date: January 14^th, 12pm onwards | Cost: Rs. 600

The Rain Tree, Anna Salai

A traditional Pongal Thali will be available at Madras all weekend, offering traditional delicacies that are usually served during this festival season. You’ll find dishes like Sakkara Pongal, Avarrai Karra Vadhakal, Mocha Kuruma and many more delicious items. Experience the Thai Virundhu with your friends and families.

Date: January 13^th – 15^th | Cost: Rs. 850 (vegetarian thali) and Rs. 950 (non vegetarian thali)