Thai Pongal: The celebration of the Sun God-by Maruthai Ravindhiran
Source:Dailymirror
Pongal is a crispy dish and one of the healthiest snack choices that you could make and enjoy yourself. If properly made, it will have protein, magnesium, iron, calcium and potassium and Pongal is good for the heart, immune system and digestive system
Thai Pongal or Surya Pongal means prosperity, flourishing, growth and abundance in work, business and life. It is an important religious, social, cultural and mythological festival in Hindu mythology. Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil Community, the world over.
It is a festival of happiness, joy, peace and prosperity. Thai Pongal is a celebration by Hindus to thank the “Sun God”, mother nature and the various farm animals who help to contribute to a “bountiful harvest” to their happy and prosperous life. The harvest festival of Pongal is celebrated in the month of the Tamil month, “Thai”(from mid-January to mid-February), which is considered an auspicious month and usually falls on the 14th or 15th of every year.
THE HISTORY OF THE THAI PONGAL FESTIVAL AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SUN GOD
People believe that in the ancient Chola Empire Days also the festival was celebrated, dating to the Sangam age from 200 BC to 300 AD. The sun plays a pivotal role in our day-to-day life for sustenance. There are symbolic references and meanings behind the sun and sun worship. The sun is not just the giver of light and life and heating and illuminating the world, but an all-seeing eye, source of wisdom, cure of disease and patron of justice and the soul. Sun is also known to typify energy, power, positivity and clarity. The sun is also called “Aaditya” and “Baskara” and the scriptures say that one can worship the Sun God for a “good and healthy life”.
(“Arogyam Baskarath Icheth”). Worship of the sun is believed to bring success and prosperity in all areas of life including career, business and personal relationships. The sun offers protection and is considered to be a powerful force that can protect one from negative energies and evil influences thus giving positivity in life.
Pongal dish: The crispy and healthy snack filled with many nutrients, called Pongal
CELEBRATION OF THAI PONGAL FESTIVAL
Truly speaking, Thai Pongal is celebrated only for four days globally. We celebrate only “Surya Pongal” and “Mattu Pongal”, in Sri Lanka. To be precise, only the “Surya Pongal” has been celebrated in the urban areas in Sri Lanka.
Day 1: BHOGI PONGAL – 13th January 2025
The first day of Pongal is called “Bhogi Pongal”. At dawn, people light bonfires with logs of wood, other solid-fuels, and wooden furniture at home that are no longer useful. This marks the end of the previous year’s accounts and the beginning of the new year’s accounts on the day following the first day of the harvest. It is a day where cleaning and discarding of belongings are carried out to signify a “fresh start”. New clothes are worn and houses are decorated in the spirit of the festival.
Day 2: SURYA (SUN) PONGAL OR THAI PONGAL – 14th January 2025
On this day, the Sun God is honoured and it is celebrated by families getting together to cook special dishes like, “Sakkarai (jaggery) Pongal” and “Ven (white) Pongal” at auspicious timings, in a clay pot that symbolises the “bounty of harvest”. As the milk boils freely over the pot, family members shout out with ebullience, “Pongalo Pongal”. The dish is then offered to Lord Ganesha and to the Sun God, expressing gratitude for the prosperity bestowed upon them and then shared with the gathered friends and family. Then people traditionally offer prayer to the Sun God in the open and they proceed to feast on several Pongal dishes that are specially prepared for the day.
Also, they get involved in drawing Rangoli or Kolam (colourful decorative floor patterns), at the entrance of one’s home and engaging in traditional rituals at the beginning of the day.
Day 3 : MATTU PONGAL – 15th January 2025
The third day is called “Mattu Pongal”. This day is devoted to honouring and worshipping the cattle (Maatu or Maadu), to remember the laborious work they do by ploughing the land. Cows are bathed and adorned with multi-coloured beads, flowers, garlands and bells.
Day 4 : KAANUM PONGAL -16th January 2025
The fourth and final day of Pongal is called “Kaanum Pongal”. On this day, importance is given to the communities and to strengthen ties with them. Families gather together to have a sumptuous meal. Young members seek the blessings of the older members of their families. It is also a day for traditional folk dances.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF PONGAL
Pongal is a crispy dish and one of the healthiest snack choices that you could make and enjoy yourself. If properly made, it will have protein, magnesium, iron, calcium and potassium and Pongal is good for the heart, immune system and digestive system.
THAI PONGAL MESSAGE FROM THE WRITER:
We have withstood the calamities and crises and hope to see the light at the end of the tunnel, with the grace of God. With the experiences gained in the recent past, let us embark on a new journey of Life which will bring us to a status with a positive outlook to be filled with the brim of success, great joy and great inspiration. Celebrate this “Sacred day” with your family, friends, relatives and neighbours irrespective of caste, class, creed or nationality with a heart filled with cheer and fervour.
You may consider to wish your Hindu friends in the following manner:
Wishing you a Happy Thai Pongal (Iniya Thai Pongal Nal Vaalthugal) or (Iniya Thai Thirunal Nal Valthukal) or simply by saying “ Pongal Valthukal (Pongal wishes). Wishing you and your family a Bright, joyful and happy Thai Pongal. Let the warmth of the auspicious and holy festival of Pongal ensure the Best of health, wealth, success, serenity, peace of mind, knowledge, wisdom, good luck, prosperity and Long Life to all of you. May Almighty Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati bless you all and our Motherland abundantly and strengthen the hands of the leaders, to witness a prosperous Sri Lanka. Let us celebrate the Thai Pongal Festival with ebullience and have new hopes and expectations in the New Year, to translate our vision to reality.
The writer is a Life Transformational Coach and an Inspirational Speaker and Writer. Ravindhiran is a former President of the Youth League for Sanatan Dharmic Perception (YLSDP), in Sri Lanka for three consecutive years and the former Chairman of Health Awareness Projects, Senior Advisor and Senior Lecturer of Sri Ponnambala Vaneswarar Hindu Religious School, Colombo, the educational wing of Sri Ponnambala Vaneswarar Devasthanam, a historical, sacred and the Hall of Fame, 150 year old Hindu (Shivan) Temple in Sri Lanka.
Ravindhiran is also a member of the AVS Society, Sri Lanka.
