India’s harvest festival of India is just around the corner.

From Lohri’s bonfire to Pongal’s pot of rice and Sankranti’s colourful kites, mid-January gives you a perfect chance to release Q4 pressure and refresh your office mood. 

This is not just about celebration or fun. It is about using culture to create positive energy that helps businesses move forward.

Want to turn your workplace into an energetic zone using pongal games in the office without spending too much money? 

Read on to see how you can do this smartly and smoothly.

How Pongal, Lohri & Sankranti Help Office Teams Bond Better?

Research shows that unhappy teams give 18% lower productivity, a direct loss for your business. 

When employees are unhappy, your sales suffer. 

But don’t worry, our Indian culture already has the perfect solution waiting for you.

Celebrating Makar Sankranti in the office along with Lohri and Pongal isn’t just tradition. 

It’s a smart business move called “Culture-Powered Commerce.”

  • The “Profit” Math (ROI) – 

Engaged teams bring in 21% more profitability. 

Even a simple celebration acts like a “charger” for your team’s energy and morale.

  • One India, One Office – 

Your office includes people from all regions. 

Lohri represents the North, Pongal reflects the South, and Sankranti blends the rest. 

Celebrating a sankranti celebration in the office helps everyone feel appreciated and “psychologically safe”, meaning they feel comfortable and at home.

A happy, connected team works harder to reach your March-end goals.

So, how do you begin? It starts with what people wear.

Start with Traditional Dress for Diversity

  • Ask employees to wear their traditional clothing
  • Ditch “Business Casual” for a day

Encourage your team to reconnect with their roots and culture.

  • North – Phulkari dupattas or warm Pathani suits are suitable for Lohri activities in the office.
  • South – Crisp white Veshti or Kanjeevaram sarees.
  • East/West – Vibrant Paithani or Tant sarees are perfect for a Makar Sankranti celebration in the office.

Now that everyone is dressed up and looking colourful, they won’t want to just sit and work. 

The energy is high. It’s time to play pongal games in the office.

9 Low-Cost Games for Lohri, Sankranti, and Pongal Celebration in the Office

This is the main event. We need pongal games in the office that are fun, safe, and don’t interrupt your business operations. We want smiles and laughter, not chaos. 

Here are 9 pongal fun games in the office and Lohri/Sankranti games that are low-cost and full of fun.

A. Pongal-Inspired Games 

1. The “Uriyadi” Pot Breaking 

In villages, people break a clay pot. In your office, we want to avoid any mess!

  • How to play – 

Get a cardboard box and fill it with chocolates and flower petals. Hang it in the corridor or parking lot. Blindfold one employee, and let their team guide them with shouted directions as they try to hit the box with a plastic bat.

  • Why does it help business? 

It builds trust. The blindfolded person depends on their teammates to succeed. This is one of the most engaging games for the Pongal celebration in the office.

2. The Kolam (Rangoli) Relay 

One of the best pongal celebration games in the office is one you can play.

  • How to play – 

Divide employees into teams. 

Place a big sheet of chart paper on the floor. The first person draws a Rangoli design for 2 minutes. 

When time is up, they stop, and the next person continues the same pattern.

  • Why does it help business? 

It teaches proper handover. You must clearly understand what the previous person did to take the work forward smoothly.

3. Sugarcane Tower Building 

Looking for unique pongal celebration games in the office ideas? Try this.

  • How to play – 

Give each team drinking straws or bamboo sticks with some tape. They get 10 minutes to build the tallest free-standing tower possible.

  • Why does it help business? 

It builds innovation with limited resources. This is a daily reality and a must-have skill for every MSME.

B. Lohri-Inspired Games 

4. Popcorn Relay 

Popcorn is a must for any Lohri games in the office fun.

  • How to play – 

Set up two bowls, one full of popcorn, one empty. 

Without using their hands, players must move popcorn using a spoon held in their mouth.

  • Why does it help business? 

It builds focus and concentration even when everyone is laughing around you.

5. Bonfire “Tall Tales” 

Since you can’t have a real bonfire indoors for Lohri activities in the office, play a bonfire video on the TV or projector. 

Gather everyone in a circle.

  • How to play – 

Start a story like, “Once upon a time, our company got a huge order…

” The next person adds a line, but must use a harvest-related word such as “Sugar,” “Fire,” or “Kite.”

  • Why does it help business? 

It sparks creativity and strengthens listening skills.

6. The “Harvest” Quiz 

Use a tool like Kahoot, or just paper if you prefer, to learn about the harvest festival of India.

  • How to play – 

Ask fun questions about India’s farming traditions. 

For example – “Which state grows the most sugarcane?” or “What’s another name for Sankranti in Gujarat?”

  • Why does it help business? 

It’s educational, inclusive, and brings the team together.

C. Makar Sankranti Games 

7. Desktop Kite Crafting 

Looking for simple Sankranti celebration ideas in the office? This works well.

  • How to play – 

Give teams A4 paper, tape, and skewers. They have to make a small kite that actually flies when placed in front of a table fan.

  • Why does it help business?  

It’s about Product Design, making something that works, not just looks good.

8. The “Til-Gul” Balance Walk 

This is a classic Sankranti celebration in office activity.

  • How to play – 

Place a Laddu (sweet ball) on a spoon. The employee walks around chairs and desks in an obstacle path without letting them fall.

  • Why does it help business? 

It represents Work-Life Balance, handling daily responsibilities without dropping the ball.

9. Virtual Bingo (For Remote Teams) 

If your team works from home, don’t leave them out of the Sankranti celebration ideas in the office.

  • How to play – 

Share a Bingo card with boxes like “Wearing yellow,” “Ate jaggery today,” or “Heard a firecracker.”

  • Why does it help business? 

It keeps remote staff feeling included and connected to the team.

Pro-Tip – Don’t make everyone pause work for the entire day.

Use the “Golden Hour” Rule instead!
10 AM to 1:00 PM – Serious Work (No disturbance).
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Potluck Lunch, where everyone brings one dish, reducing catering costs for you!
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM – Games & Prizes. This way, your “Dhanda” (business) runs smoothly, and the fun happens too.

Conclusion

There you have it, a complete plan to organize a fun, productive, and memorable harvest festival in your office.

Whether you choose pongal games in the office, specific games for pongal celebration in the office, or a simple Lohri game in the office with popcorn and peanuts, the thought matters more than the budget.

As an MSME owner, your team is your biggest asset. 

Embracing their culture shows that you value who they are. 

It tells them, “We are in this together.” And trust me, a team that eats Til-Gud together sticks together. 

Ready to scale your business further or build a strong team? Click here for more MSME growth blogs.

FAQ

How to host a Pongal celebration in the office? 

Wear traditional dress, organize a potluck, and play fun pongal games in the office.

What are the unique Sankranti celebration ideas in the office? 

Arrange craft desktop kites, play the Til-Gul balance walk, or host virtual bingo.

How should teams dress for the Harvest Festival of India? 

Encourage traditional wear: Phulkari, Veshti, Kanjeevaram, or Paithani sarees.

How to host a pongal celebration in the office? 

Combine traditional dress, a potluck lunch, and pongal fun games in the office.

How to include remote staff in a Sankranti celebration in the office? 

Play Virtual Bingo with harvest-themed tasks to keep remote employees connected.

Why organize a Lohri celebration in the office? 

Celebrations boost morale, improve ROI by 21%, and create psychological safety.

What is a good office decor idea for Pongal?

Use cultural elements like Kolam (Rangoli) or hang a “Uriyadi” box for games.

What is a simple 10-minute game for the office? 

The Sugarcane Tower Building game builds innovation skills in just 10 minutes.

What is the special activity of a Makar Sankranti celebration in the office? 

Flying or crafting kites is the key activity, symbolizing high vision and goals.

What are fun Lohri activities in the office? 

Organize a popcorn relay, bonfire storytelling, or a harvest quiz to boost energy.