The second day of the Pongal festival, Surya Pongal, often referred to as Thai Pongal, holds the greatest importance among the festivities. This day is set aside for the veneration of the Sun God ...

Notes on Pongal from ‘Hindu feasts, fasts and ceremonies’ by S M Natesan Sastri (1903) talks about how on Surya Pongal, rajas would give large sums in charity and grant rewards to Hindu ...