Kaanum Pongal or Kari Naal – Importance of Fourth Day of Pongal in Tamil Nadu - How is Kanum Pongal Observed?
Kanum Pongal, or Karu Naal or Kari Naal, is the fourth day of the Pongal Festival in Tamil Nadu. In 2025, the date of Kaanum Pongal is January 16. Kanum literally means ‘to see’ and it is essentially a day of relaxation and socializing and people either visit relatives or go out on a picnic. Numerous sports activities like bull fight, cart race etc are held on the day in rural areas. How is Kaanum Pongal Observed? One of the most important events on the day is the visit to the banks of Kaveri River or other major rivers in the state. Many people pack their lunch and a have a picnic lunch on the riverbank. In many regions special prayers are offered to Mother Kaveri. In certain parts of rural Tamil Nadu, people use the opportunity provided by Karu Nal to perform the ritual ‘Kummi Pattu’. This is a ritual performed for the speedy marriage of girls whose marriages are unduly delayed. The girl whose marriage is delayed is made to sit in the center of a circle formed by wome