Southern Railway Opens Advance Bookings for Pongal 2025 on September 12 | Check Full Details

Pongal 2025: Southern Railway has announced that advance bookings for train tickets for Pongal 2025 festival season will begin on September 12. 

To enhance passenger convenience and avoid last-minute rush, train ticket bookings will be available 120 days in advance.

Tickets can be booked through the IRCTC website or at ticket reservation centers. Passengers planning to travel on January 10, 2025, can start booking their tickets from September 12. Tickets for journeys on January 11 will be available from September 13, and bookings for January 12 can be made starting September 14. 

This advance booking window allows travelers to secure their seats up to 120 days before their journey, facilitating better travel arrangements during one of the busiest times of the year.

Each year, over 600,000 people travel from Chennai to their hometowns during major festivals such as Diwali and Pongal .

About Pongal 2025: 

Pongal is a Hindu festival celebrated majorly in Tamil Nadu and other southern states of India. The festival, which typically takes place over four days in mid-January, is a time for families to come together and celebrate the harvest season. 

How Pongal is Celebrated:

Day 1: Bhogi Pongal – The festival begins with Bhogi Pongal , a day dedicated to discarding old possessions and celebrating new beginnings.

Day 2: Surya Pongal – The main day of the festival, Surya Pongal , honors the Sun God with a special dish called Pongal , made from newly harvested rice

Day 3: Mattu Pongal – Mattu Pongal celebrates and honors cattle, acknowledging their role in agriculture and the harvest.

Day 4: Kaanum Pongal – The final day, Kaanum Pongal , is a day for visiting friends and relatives, and for enjoying festive foods and social gatherings.

Southern Railway's advance booking system ensures that travelers can plan their journey well ahead of time, making the festive season more enjoyable and less stressful.