Best Places to Travel for Pongal Holidays in January

Pongal, once one of the most celebrated festivals of South India, is the harvest season and has become a festive, cultural time of joy and family gathering. So it’s the perfect chance to take the Pongal holidays in January and travel to and explore some of the beautiful destinations with best travel agency that will make you feel at home and provide a fantastic getaway.

1. Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Why Visit?

If you want to spend your Pongal holiday in a cool and peaceful place, then Ooty, The Queen of the Hill Stations, has got something to offer to you.

Highlights:

Tea gardens and landscapes.

Boating at Ooty Lake.

Exploring Botanical Gardens.

Activities:

Go for the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

Go visit places like Doddabetta Peak around.

2. Coorg, Karnataka

Why Visit?

Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a picturesque hill station in Karnataka. It’s perfect for nature lovers looking to escape the city’s hustle during Pongal.

Highlights:

Coffee plantations and spice estates.

Abbey Falls and Raja’s Seat viewpoints.

Trekking trails amidst lush greenery.

Activities:

Enjoy local Kodava cuisine.

Visit Dubare Elephant Camp.

3. Munnar, Kerala

Why Visit?

A peaceful Pongal getaway awaits you in Munnar, situated around rolling hills covered by tea gardens.

Highlights:

Misty valleys and lush tea plantations.

For wildlife enthusiasts, Eravikulam National Park.

Kundala Lake and Mattupetty Dam.

Activities:

Trekking and seeing spectacular views.

With the cool January weather.

4. Varkala, Kerala

Why Visit?

Varkala is a great, relaxed coastal place with beautiful cliffs and beaches. This is a little less known gem for a relaxed Pongal holiday.

Highlights:

Varkala Beach and its special cliffs.

It was a spiritual landmark, Janardhana Swamy Temple.

Ayurvedic Spa treatments, Ayurvedic spa retreats.

Activities:

Yoga sessions by the beach.

Visiting local markets while selling pharmaceutical items.

5. Hampi, Karnataka

Why Visit?

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi provides a view of India’s glorious past and architectural gems and is a great Pongal vacation destination.

Highlights:

Vijayanagara Empire ancient temples and ruins.

Boulder-studded hills with stunning landscapes.

Baan bazaar’s and local crafts.

Activities:

Historical sites will be visited on guided tours.

Sunrise views from Matanga Hill by trekking.

6. Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Why Visit?

Madurai is known as the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and is a wonderful place to celebrate Pongal holidays. Meenakshi Amman Temple is a world-famous temple in the city; it is a focal point during Pongal.

Highlights:

Special Pongal rituals of Meenakshi Amman Temple.

Chockablock full of festive items at local markets.

Pongal dishes of traditional Tamil cuisine.

Activities:

They are participating in temple festivals.

Visit Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace and other heritage sites in the city.

7. Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

Why Visit?

It’s famous for cultural heritage with temples and traditional art forms. The festival of Pongal is a very traditional affair that is celebrated here in Tamil traditions.

Highlights:

A UNESCO World heritage site is, Brihadeeswarar Temple.

Traditional Tamil music and traditional Tamil dance performances.

Take bullock cart ride and experience the rural charm.

Activities:

Watch colorful Kolam (rangoli) competitions.

Go to visit local artisans creating Tanjore paintings.

8. Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Why Visit?

Kanyakumari, the tip of the south, is a meeting point of South Indian culture and history into an amazing resort for wonderful moments. It’s a peaceful place to stay away from work during Pongal holidays.

Highlights:

See the Indian Ocean’s sunrise and sunset.

Go to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

However, experience the coastal cuisine.

Activities:

Beachside walks and visiting nearby temples.

Searching for seashell artifacts to shop.

9. Pondicherry

Why Visit?

Pongal is the Indian festival of thanks we have mentioned earlier and while you cannot celebrate it with the French as they aren’t part of the Indian nation, Pondicherry shall make up for it, complete with its own French colonial charm and its white sand beaches, which will most likely transport your senses to another time!

Highlights:

Visit the colorful streets of the French Quarter.

The peaceful atmosphere in Auroville.

There are beach celebrations and local cuisine.

Activities:

Cycling tours of the French Quarter.

Relaxing at Promenade Beach.

10. Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

Why Visit?

Rameswaram, being a sacred town, offers a spiritual journey and not-ending natural beauty. Pongal holiday is an ideal destination for family trips.

Highlights:

The unique architecture of Ramanathaswamy Temple.

The Pamban Bridge that connects the mainland and the island.

It was Dhanushkodi beach, cute as it was, among the prettiest beaches.

Activities:

Visit the mythological sites of Rameswaram.

Pongal around temples.

Conclusion

If you’re in India during the Pongal holidays in January, you have a great opportunity to visit some of India’s most scintillating and serene destinations. From cultural immersion to spiritual retreats and scenic getaways, we have a list of great places to visit, each of these likely to provide an experience that you’ll never forget and can enjoy as a family, a couple, or even as a solo traveller.