Common rituals performed during the Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu include the preparation of the traditional dish Pongal, made from newly harvested rice, which is offered to deities as a sign of gratitude. Families clean and decorate their homes, create colorful kolams at entrances, and participate in temple rituals. The festival also features communal celebrations with music, dance, and festivities that honor nature and farming traditions. Pongal is not only a time for feasting but also a reaffirmation of community bonds and cultural identity.