Train Ticket Bookings for 2026 Pongal Festival Begin; Major Trains Sold Out Within Minutes
Train ticket bookings for the 2026 Pongal festival have officially begun, and seats for several major trains were sold out within minutes of the booking window opening. Pongal, one of Tamil Nadu’s biggest festivals, falls on January 15, 2026 (Thursday), and lakhs of people especially those living abroad—depend on rail transport to travel to their hometowns.
Advance bookings for travel on January 9 (Friday) opened today (Monday, November 10). Demand was extremely high, and tickets for popular trains such as the Nellai Express, Pothigai Express, Silambu Express, and Pandian Express were booked out almost immediately. Many other trains went into waiting list status within minutes.
Upcoming Booking Schedule
IRCTC has released the following schedule for advance bookings:
- For travel on Jan 10 (Saturday) - Bookings open on Nov 11
- 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
All bookings open at 8 a.m. on the respective dates.
Return Journey Bookings
For return travel after the Pongal festival, particularly for Sunday, January 18, bookings will open on November 19 (Wednesday) at 8 a.m.
With demand soaring, railway officials advise passengers to plan early and book tickets as soon as the booking window opens.
