Five-day break? Pongal school holidays 2026 | Check dates here

Chennai: January has long been the most anticipated month for students across Tamil Nadu. As the calendar turns, the search for public holidays begins in earnest, and this year, a potential five-day "mega-break" is causing a stir in classrooms and households alike.

While the month is already packed with national observances like Republic Day, the heart of the January festive season lies in the Pongal celebrations. Currently, the Tamil Nadu government has confirmed a string of holidays from 15 to 17 January, marking Pongal, Mattu Pongal (and Thiruvalluvar Day), and Kaanum Pongal respectively.

A holiday for Bhogi?

The spotlight has now shifted to 14 January, the day of Bhogi. Traditionally, this marks the start of the festivities as families in urban hubs like Chennai prepare to travel to their ancestral hometowns.

Because the final day of the sanctioned holidays (17 January) is followed immediately by a Sunday, a holiday declaration for Bhogi would create a continuous five-day break for schools and colleges.

Date	Occasion	Status
14 January	Bhogi	Decision Pending
15 January	Pongal	Public Holiday
16 January	Mattu Pongal / Thiruvalluvar Day	Public Holiday
17 January	Kaanum Pongal / Uzhavar Thinam	Public Holiday
18 January	Sunday	Weekly Off