Sakkarai Pongal

Sakkarai Pongal is a classic South Indian sweet dish that holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, especially in Tamil Nadu. Prepared during the harvest festival Thai Pongal, this traditional sweet symbolizes gratitude, prosperity, and abundance. Made using simple yet wholesome ingredients like rice, moong dal, jaggery, milk, and ghee, Sakkarai Pongal is loved for its rich taste and comforting texture.

What is Sakkarai Pongal?

Sakkarai Pongal, also known as Sweet Pongal, is a slow-cooked dessert where rice and moong dal are cooked until soft and then sweetened with pure jaggery. The dish is flavoured with aromatic cardamom and garnished with cashews and raisins roasted in ghee. In temples, a special version called Temple Style Sakkarai Pongal is offered as prasadam.

Importance of Sakkarai Pongal in Pongal Festival

Sakkarai Pongal is the heart of the Pongal festival, celebrated to thank the Sun God for a good harvest. Traditionally, it is cooked in a clay pot and allowed to overflow, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. The sweet pongal is first offered to God before being shared with family and friends.

Ingredients Used

• Raw rice

• Split yellow moong dal

• Jaggery

• Milk and water

• Ghee

• Cardamom powder

• Cashew nuts and raisins

• Edible camphor (optional)

Temple Style Sakkarai Pongal – Special Taste

Temple-style Sakkarai Pongal is known for its dark colour, rich aroma, and soft, mushy consistency. The generous use of ghee, jaggery, and edible camphor gives it a divine flavour that makes it unique from homemade versions.

When consumed in moderation, it is both delicious and nourishing.

Why Sakkarai Pongal is Loved by All

The comforting sweetness, festive aroma, and cultural roots make it a favourite across generations. Whether enjoyed as prasadam or prepared at home for special occasions, this traditional sweet pongal brings warmth and joy to every celebration.

Sakkarai Pongal

Niranjana Sankaranarayanan

Sakkarai Pongal is a classic South Indian sweet dish that holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, especially in Tamil Nadu. Prepared during the harvest festival Thai Pongal, this traditional sweet symbolizes gratitude, prosperity, and abundance. Made using simple yet wholesome ingredients like rice, moong dal, jaggery, milk, and ghee, Sakkarai Pongal is loved for its rich taste and comforting texture.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine South Indian

Servings 4

Equipment

• 1 Pressure cooker

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 Cup Raw rice
• 1/2 Cup Moong dhal
• 1 Cup Jaggery
• A pinch Cardamom powder - A pinch
• few Cashews
• few Raisins
• 1/8 Cup Ghee
• 3 Cups Water

Instructions

 

• Pressure cook the rice and moong dal together until soft and mushy. Once cooked, mash it well and keep aside.
• In a pan, dissolve the jaggery in water and strain to remove impurities. Bring the strained jaggery syrup to a boil.
• Add the cooked rice and moong dal mixture to the boiling jaggery syrup and mix well on low flame.
• Add cardamom powder and ghee, stirring continuously until the mixture turns glossy and aromatic.
• In a separate kadai, heat ghee and fry the cashew nuts until golden brown. Add the raisins and fry until they puff up.
• Add the fried nuts and raisins to the sakkarai pongal and mix gently.
• Yummy and delicious Sakkarai Pongal is ready to serve, best enjoyed hot with extra ghee.

Notes

• I usually do not add milk while making Sakkarai Pongal. However, on the special occasion of the Thai Pongal festival, I add milk and reduce the quantity of water.
• When milk is added, I also increase the amount of jaggery to balance the sweetness and enhance the rich festive flavour.

Keyword Maatu pongal, Sakkarai Pongal, Sweet pongal, Thai pongal