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Pongalfest FAQs

How do I get to Pongal Fest?
What kind of paperwork will I need?
Where will I sleep?
Help! Will I need vaccines or should I bring any meds to India?
When do I need to buy my ticket?
How much money should I bring?
Where will I be able to keep my valuables?
What happens if my phone batteries die?
Are there dangers I need to be aware of?
What should I bring for the Festival?
What should I leave at home?
Can I pay with my credit card?

1. How do I get to Pongal Fest?

The answer of the question of how to get to the Pongal Fest venue is quite simple. Pongal Fest is located in Sawyerpuram, Southern India, 15 kilometers away from Tuticorin. There will be a PongalShuttle bus service transporting you from Tuticorin to the Festival venue on Bremajothi Farms, and back.

 For our adventurous international visitors: Tuticorin Airport is 16 kilometers away from the city center, and there are flights to-and-from Chennai. The nearest international airport is Trivandrum Airport, some 200 kilometers away from Tuticorin. From there, you can take the train or rent a car to complete the remainder of your journey.

2. What kind of paperwork will I need?

Once you have bought your Daily Ticket or Pongal Mania Pass, you can start arranging your transport to India, Tuticorin. You will need to apply for a tourist visa and buy plane tickets. Make sure that your passport is valid for the time of the travel. Otherwise, bring every document you might need for any trip: travel insurance, driver’s license etc. Just to be safe, make copies of all your important personal documents.

3. Where will I sleep?

If you have purchased our Standard Daily Ticket or Standard Pongal Mania Pass, you will have the unique experience of camping out under the stars right at our venue. If you bought a VIP Daily Ticket or VIP Pongal Mania Pass, we will put you up in a clean, decent hotel room in Tuticorin.

4. Help! Will I need vaccines or should I bring any meds to India?

Pongalfest medication rules are quite clear. We highly suggest contacting a traveller’s clinic in your home country, or your personal doctor, to find out what kind of vaccinations you might need or medical precautions you should take before traveling to India. Though Pongalfest will be prepared to deal with minor emergencies in our First Aid Spot we highly recommend you to bring a medical kit with youm which should include the following items:

  • Pain killers
  • Oinments for insect bites
  • High SPF sunscreen (You’ll be in India, so there’s a good chance that it will be sunny. Then rainy. Then sunny.)
  • Insect repellent
  • Tweezers and needles
  • Antiseptic alcohol
  • Thermometer
  • Eye drops
  • Vitamins
  • Generic antibiotics
  • Anti-diarrhea medication
  • First-aid supplies

5. When do I need to buy my ticket?

Please make sure that you buy your tickets or Pongal Mania passes as early as possible – there are early bird discounts! If you decide to buy your ticket on the site just before the Festival, you’ll have to pay the full amount.

6. How much money should I bring?

This depends on your preferences. Be sure to calculate accordingly, counting in meals, drinks, transportation and accomodation, depending on which ticket you bought. Also, don’t forget that there will be umpteen occassions to shop for Official Pongalfest merchandise and other souvenirs at our magical Marketplace. Usually, people are happy with 50-60 Euros per day.

7. Where will I be able to keep my valuables?

Pongal Fest will be equipped with storage facilities, so you’ll be able to store your possessions in a safe place.

8. What happens if my phone batteries die?

You may be concerned about how to charge your phone at the Pongal Fest. You needn’t worry: we will have Mobile Charger Stations to revive your phones.

 9. Are there dangers I need to be aware of?

India is a country like no other, with different traditions and cultural norms. Your personal danger quotient is directly relational to the choices you make. Always remember that you’re in a foreign country with different rules and ideas about what’s acceptable – if you behave respectfully, your stay in India will be one that you’ll cherish for years to come. You will also be kindly asked to follow the Pongal Fest safety regulations.

 10. What should I bring for the Festival?

  • Most importantly, your ticket, or cash to buy your ticket
  • Waterproof tent, sleeping bag, mattress, torch and batteries….
  • Closed shoes, sandals, flip flops
  • Hygienic accessories, towel, hand sanitizer
  • Sun tan lotion, spray against mosquitoes 

 11. What should I leave at home?

  • Illegal drugs and stimulants
  • Gas heaters and gas containers
  • Pyrotechnical objects
  • Glass – painful if it breaks and someone cuts themselves
  • Pointy and sharp tools
  • Any objects endangering others’ physical health: please don’t bring objects specifically endangering public safety (knives, gas sprays etc.) Products of such nature must be handed to the security service at the entrance in custody, so that they can check them

 12. Can I pay with my credit card?

You will not be able to use your credit or debit cards at most of the stalls at the event. There will be no ATMs, so please make sure that you bring enough cash (Indian Rupees) with you.