In rural areas, the newly harvested rice is brought home and cattle are fed with the special rice dish called Pongal. On this day, at many places, The festival is also dedicated to the sun and rain gods as well as Lord Ganesha. At many places, people offer cow dung and turmeric replicas of flowers to Lord Ganesha and light traditional lamps in front of his idols.

The festival is also marked with visits to close friends and relatives and dinning together. At public places, folk dances, musical concerts and singing competitions are also held during Pongal festival.