pongal

Across India, festivals aren’t just about rituals or lights — they’re about our bond with nature. From Assam’s Bihu to Kerala’s Onam, discover seven celebrations that honour animals, rivers, and the Earth itself with gratitude, colour, and community spirit.

From Kai Kani Pongal to Kadamba Kootu, these traditional recipes revive and celebrate Tamil Nadu’s rich heritage.

Ratna Café was established in 1948 by Jaggilal Gupta, a former resident of Mathura who moved to Chennai. Steeped in nostalgia, the franchise is known for its sambar that is drunk by the litre.

Ponga in Tamil means to ‘boil over.’ One of the most popular harvest festivals celebrated in South India, ‘Pongal’ derives its name from this very tradition of cooking the newly harvested rice until it overflows from an earthen pot.

Seen as a display of cruelty by animal rights activists, but venerated by others as a symbol of Tamil Nadu's martial tradition, Jallikattu evokes polarised reactions from different sections of society. Here's what you should know about the ancient bull-taming sport and the debate surrounding it.