Jaffna · Festivals & culture
Thai Pongal 2026 in Sri Lanka: holiday date
தைப்பொங்கல்
Sri Lanka’s official holiday calendar lists Thai Pongal on 15 January 2026. Use this date to plan harvest traditions and family gatherings in Jaffna, with local arrangements checked separately.
Festival programme
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka lists this date as a public and bank holiday and a mercantile holiday. Ask your hosts about the timing of the rice preparation and offering. The national holiday does not establish the programme of a particular temple, school or community gathering. Arrange transport directly if attending outside Jaffna town. This is an observance page, not an announcement of a single venue-based public event.
A verified programme has not been published. Dates and ceremony times will appear here when they are supported by the relevant announcement.
Sources and date verification
- Central Bank of Sri Lanka: Bank Holidays for 2026
Central Bank of Sri Lanka · dates · verified · Reviewed 18 October 2026
Official Sri Lankan holiday date; does not establish an individual venue or worship programme.
- Festivals Tourism Toolkit
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority · background · verified · Reviewed 18 October 2026
National tourism reference identifying this observance among Sri Lankan festivals. Detailed background and dates use the separately listed sources.
- Northern Province Thai Pongal Festival in Velanai, Jaffna
Presidential Secretariat, Sri Lanka · background · verified · Reviewed 18 October 2026
Background reference for the traditions, location or visitor guidance described above. Annual dates are supported separately.
- Thai Pongal: harvest, rice and milk traditions
Ministry of Mass Media, Sri Lanka · background · verified · Reviewed 18 October 2026
Background reference for the traditions, location or visitor guidance described above. Annual dates are supported separately.
- Thai Pongal Day Message — 15 January 2026
Ministry of Mass Media, Sri Lanka · background · verified · Reviewed 18 October 2026
Background reference for the traditions, location or visitor guidance described above. Annual dates are supported separately.