Markets, bus stands and railway stations in Erode witness heavy crowd ahead of Pongal

Ahead of the Pongal festival, which will be celebrated on Thursday (January 15, 2026), markets and temporary shops in Erode district witnessed heavy footfall as people rushed to purchase essentials. Bus stands and the railway station were crowded with passengers travelling to their native places for the celebrations.

The four-day festival commenced with Bhogi Pongal on Wednesday (January 14, 2026), followed by Thai Pongal on Thursday, Mattu Pongal on Friday (January 16, 2026) and Kaanum Pongal on Saturday (January 17, 2026).

From early morning on Wednesday, shoppers thronged the Nethaji Daily Vegetable and Fruit Market and Uzhavar Sandhai to buy turmeric bunches, coconuts, sugarcane, banana leaves, ash gourd, vegetables, fruits and other items required for the festival. Temporary stalls selling rangoli powders, earthen pots, jaggery and related items reported good sales throughout the day. However, a street vendor at Panneerselvam Park said business remained sluggish compared with previous years due to the prevailing weather but expressed hope for better sales on Thursday. Stocks were adequate to meet demand in the coming days. Shops along R.K.V. Road, Manikoondu and other bazaar streets became busy by afternoon as people hurried to complete purchases amid fears of rain.

Congestion prevailed throughout the day at the Corporation’s Central Bus Terminal due to the operation of special buses for the festival. The railway junction also witnessed heavy passenger movement. Police personnel were deployed at key locations to regulate traffic and manage crowds.

In Salem, bazaar streets saw a similar rush as people crowded shops to buy festival essentials. Both bus stands reported congestion owing to special bus services, while the railway station witnessed heavy passenger movement.