Lanka Sites

The two Tamil words "Thai" and "Pongal" are important. "Thai" means the month of January. The word "Pongal" means milk rice. This is a harvest festival the Tamil equivalent of Thanksgiving. It is held to honor the Sun, for a bountiful harvest. Families gather to rejoice and share their joy and their harvests with others. The Sun is offered a "Pongal" of rice and milk.The main meal is actually a breakfast meal, similar to rice pudding and called pongal. It is a combination of rice boiled in milk, and jaggery. The cooking of the meal may be conducted by the oldest person in the house, and sometimes is conducted outdoors. Pongal derives from the word pongu, which means, “to cook,” but the day is not only about he cooking of this special meal.

The first day of January in the Tamil calendar, would always fall between January 12 and 15 of the Christian calendar. On the first day of January in the calendar, Tamils all over the world celebrate Thai Pongal which is a Hindu religious festival.Pongal is celebrated by the Indian state of Tamil Nadu as well as Tamils worldwide, including those in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa, USA, Canada and Singapore. Thai Pongal is variously called as "Thai Thirunal" or "Thai Thingal".

Thai Pongal is one of the most important Tamil festivals and is observed in the Tamil Month Thai. Thai Pongal 2010 date is January 14. Pongal takes its name from the famous traditional Tamilian food of the same name and is dedicated to Lord Surya or the Sun God. The present Tamil Nadu government has also made Thai Pongal the Tamil New Year day.

Thai Pongal is a four day festival. The first day is Bhogi Pongal, it is observed on the last day of the Margazhi month. The second day is Pongal or Thai Pongal or Perum Pongal and is the most important day. The third day is Mattu Pongal. The fourth and final day of celebration is Kaanum Pongal. “By celebrating this festival it helps to publicize the rich culture, traditions, and much aspiration, of our own kith and kin.On the main day, families awake and dress in new clothing, usually having destroyed old clothes, the day before. It is a time for families to be together, to visit with each other in the evening hours and to relax, shop, or even attend cultural events.

Also indeed to give an emotional link to them for the first time in two decades who are celebrating Pongal in an atmosphere of relative peace,” states Mr Anura Dewpaura, General Manager of Mount Lavinia Hotel, who is spearheading a major change at the hotel and indeed giving unity as the wayforward as the silverlining.

Reference From wise Geek and Hindu Blog