Four days of harvest celebrations, a house full of family, and the Australian summer holidays to make it work. Here is how to plan the trip.
At a glance: when should I fly to Chennai for Pongal 2027?
Pongal 2027 runs from Bhogi on Thursday 14 January to Kaanum Pongal on Sunday 17 January. Fly out of Melbourne between 10 and 12 January to be settled before Bhogi, and fly back in the last week of January before school starts around 27 to 28 January. The dates sit inside the Australian summer holidays, so demand is high. Book now. Chennai fares are quoted on request. Call 1300 754 002 and ask about PayLite to pay in weekly instalments.
Why Pongal 2027 is worth the trip
Pongal is the Tamil harvest festival, and it is a home festival. The pot boils over on the stove, the kolam goes down at the front door, the cattle are washed and garlanded, and the whole family sits down together. You cannot really do it over a video call.
For Tamil families in Melbourne and Sydney, January is also the one time of year when the kids are off school for long enough to make the trip. The four Pongal days fall in the middle of the summer holidays. That is why so many of our customers book this trip every year, and why the good seats go early.
The dates for 2027:
- Bhogi: Thursday 14 January 2027
- Thai Pongal: Friday 15 January 2027
- Mattu Pongal: Saturday 16 January 2027
- Kaanum Pongal: Sunday 17 January 2027
Your Pongal 2027 travel timeline
Here is the plan most of our Melbourne families follow. It gives you a couple of days to get over the flight before the festival starts and a quiet week with family afterwards.
Date | What happens | Our advice |
Sunday 10 to Tuesday 12 January | Fly Melbourne to Chennai | Leave by Tuesday at the latest. You land the next day and have time to rest before Bhogi. |
Thursday 14 January | Bhogi | The house is cleaned and old things cleared out. A good day to be already in Chennai. |
Friday 15 January | Thai Pongal | The main day. The pot boils over, the family eats together. Be home. |
Saturday 16 January | Mattu Pongal | Honouring the cattle. In the villages this is a big day, so plan a trip out of the city if your family is from one. |
Sunday 17 January | Kaanum Pongal | Visiting day. Relatives, the beach, outings. Keep it free. |
Sunday 24 to Tuesday 26 January | Fly Chennai to Melbourne | Land with a day or two to recover before school goes back around 27 to 28 January. |
Victorian Term 4 ends on Friday 18 December 2026, so you could leave any time after that. Flying before Christmas usually costs more and the second week of January is often the better balance of price and time with family. Our Perth to Ahmedabad guide has a similar January pattern for families flying west.
What Chennai is like in January
January is one of the best months to be in Chennai. The monsoon has passed, the days are warm rather than hot, and the evenings are pleasant. It is dry, so plans do not get rained off. Mornings can feel cool to anyone who has lived there, which means very comfortable for anyone arriving from a Melbourne summer.
It is also Jallikattu season in Tamil Nadu. The bull-taming events are held in the Pongal period in several districts and draw huge crowds. If your family is from the south of the state and you want to see one, ask relatives for the local dates and go with someone who knows the ground. It is not for small children.
6 tips for a smooth Pongal trip
1. Book now, not in December
The second week of January is peak for Chennai flights from Australia. Student return traffic, families on holiday and Pongal travellers all want the same seats. Fares step up as each cheap fare class sells out. The fare you see today is usually better than the one you will see in December.
2. Compare the Singapore and Kuala Lumpur connections
Most Melbourne to Chennai flights go one-stop via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Both give a sensible total travel time and a short, easy transit. Flying out in the evening means children sleep on the first leg. Check the live options at manntravel.com.au/flights rather than relying on a fare from last year.
3. Be flexible by a day or two
Leaving on a Monday instead of a Sunday, or coming back on a Tuesday instead of a weekend, can make a real difference. Give us a range of dates and we will find the best fit.
4. Put the whole family on one booking
Seats together, one set of changes if something shifts, one phone call if a flight is delayed.
5. Students and teachers: join MannPass before you book
MannPass is free for verified Australian students and education staff. It takes an extra AUD $25 off eligible return flights to India. It is valid for 30 days, renewable, and cannot be combined with other promotions. Many of our Pongal travellers are university students flying home before semester starts.
6. Spread the cost with PayLite
Booking in October for a January trip is the smart move, but it means paying earlier. PayLite lets you lock in your fare with a low deposit and pay the rest in up to 26 weekly instalments on selected refundable fares. Afterpay is also accepted. Book now, pay over the summer.
What to carry home for Pongal
Every Tamil family has a list. A few things that come up again and again, and what to check before you pack them:
- Gifts from Australia. Chocolates, Tim Tams, macadamias, Manuka honey, skincare and vitamins travel well. Pack them in checked luggage and keep the receipts handy.
- New clothes for Thai Pongal. Many families buy in Chennai, but if you are carrying saris or veshtis as gifts, fold them flat and keep them in hand luggage so they arrive on time.
- Medicines. Carry prescriptions with you. Keep medicines in their original packaging in hand luggage.
- Baggage allowance. Check it before you shop. Allowances vary by airline and fare, and gifts add up fast.
- Coming back. Australian biosecurity rules are strict. Declare any food, seeds, wooden items or plant material. Fresh produce, many sweets with dairy and some pickles will be taken off you, so check before you pack them.
- Documents. Australian passport holders need an Indian visa or OCI card. Apply through the official Indian visa website well before you fly and check that every passport has six months left.
Why book your Pongal trip with Mann Travel?
Since 2007, Mann Travel has helped families across Australia get home to India for the festivals that matter. Our Melbourne-based team speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English, is on call 24/7, and books the Chennai route week in, week out. Chennai fares are quoted on request, and our Melbourne to Delhi fare, from AUD $493.13 per person (checked 7 October 2026, prices change daily), gives you a sense of where Australia to India fares sit right now. Send us your dates and we will come back with options.
Let’s take you home for Pongal.
Search live Melbourne to Chennai fares at manntravel.com.au/flights or call our team on 1300 754 002. Ask about PayLite to lock in your fare today.
frequently asked questions
When is Pongal in 2027?
Pongal 2027 runs over four days: Bhogi on Thursday 14 January, Thai Pongal on Friday 15 January, Mattu Pongal on Saturday 16 January and Kaanum Pongal on Sunday 17 January 2027.
When should I fly from Melbourne to Chennai for Pongal?
Fly out between 10 and 12 January 2027 so you land and settle before Bhogi. Fly back between 24 and 26 January, before school resumes around 27 to 28 January.
How much are Pongal flights to Chennai from Melbourne?
Chennai fares are quoted on request because they change daily. Call 1300 754 002 or search live fares on manntravel.com.au. Booking early is the best way to keep the price down.
Does Pongal fall in the Australian school holidays?
Yes. Term 4 ends on 18 December 2026 in Victoria and New South Wales, and students go back around 27 to 28 January 2027. All four Pongal days sit inside the summer break.
Can I pay for Pongal flights in instalments?
Yes. PayLite lets you secure your fare with a low deposit and pay the balance in up to 26 weekly instalments on selected refundable fares. Afterpay is also accepted.
Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Festival dates are based on published calendars and local observances can vary. Always check live prices and travel advice on Smartraveller before booking.
