Advance train ticket bookings for the 2026 Pongal festival began today, with seats on several major routes selling out within minutes of the booking window opening. Pongal, one of Tamil Nadu’s grandest harvest festivals, falls on January 15, 2026, and sees lakhs of people — including those returning from other states and abroad — travelling to their hometowns to celebrate with their families.
Bookings for travel on January 9 (Friday) opened Monday, and ticket demand was exceptionally high. Popular trains such as the Nellai Express, Pothigai Express, Silambu Express, and Pandian Express were among the first to be fully booked. Many others quickly moved to the waiting list within minutes.
According to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the advance booking schedule for Pongal week is as follows:
For travel on Jan 11 (Sunday) – Bookings open on Nov 12
For travel on Jan 12 (Monday) – Bookings open on Nov 13
For travel on Jan 13 (Tuesday) – Bookings open on Nov 14
For travel on Jan 14 (Wednesday – Pongal Eve) – Bookings open on Nov 15
With the surge in demand, Southern Railway officials have advised passengers to plan their trips early and consider special trains that will be announced closer to the festival season.
Railway sources said additional services are likely to be introduced on southern routes such as Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, and Thoothukudi, which traditionally see a festive rush during Pongal.