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 ...
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Thai Pongal 2025: Celebrating the Harvest Festival-by Kalani-eLanka Thai Pongal, a vibrant and significant harvest festival, will be celebrated on January 14, 2025. Marking the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai, this auspicious day is dedicated to expressing gratitude to the Sun God and nature for a bountiful harvest. Widely celebrated by Tamil communities in Sri Lanka, India, and across the globe, Thai Pongal is a time for joy, family gatherings, and cultural traditions. Thai Pongal symbolizes prosperity and abundance. The word “Pongal” means “to overflow,” signifying abundance and the overflowing of rice, milk, and prosperity. The festival aligns with the harvest season, allowing farmers to give thanks for their crops and pray for future prosperity. It also marks the end of the winter solstice and the start of the sun’s six-month-long journey northwards (Uttarayana). Preparations for Thai Pongal begin with cleaning and decorating homes with colorful kolams (rangoli) ...
Jan 14, 2025
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Tagged Agriculture, Banana and Mango Leaves, Freshly Harvested Rice, Harvest Festival, Pongal Dish, Thai Pongal
Thai Pongal – By Shiyamala Yogeswaran Source : Dæhæna – January 2025 Thai Pongal is a significant harvest festival widely celebrated by Tamils across Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, European nations, North America, South Africa, and Mauritius wherever Tamil communities reside. Known as the “Festival of Gratitude,” it honours the Sun God, seen as a natural deity and a source of energy, as well as cattle and other living beings . Image Source : eventbrite Celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month “Thai,” the festival is steeped in tradition. Families use freshly harvested rice and cook the sweet dish “Pongal” innew clay pots. The dish is offered first to Surya Bhagavan (Sun God) as a gesture of gratitude. Homes are decorated with turmeric leaves and sugarcanes, and the festivity is marked by abundance, unity, and joy. It is a festival to encourage social cohesiveness and unite people by bringing ...
Thai Pongal, a festival of thanksgiving Image Source:Sundayobserver Source:Sundayobserver Pongal, also referred to as Thai Pongal is a multi-day Hindu harvest festival celebrated by the global Hindu community. It is observed in the month of Thai according to the Tamil solar calendar and usually falls between January 10-17. Dedication to Surya The Thai Pongal festival is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God and corresponds to the Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival celebrated under many regional names throughout India. A three-day festival The three days of the Pongal festival are called Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal. Some Hindus celebrate a fourth day of Pongal known as Kanum Pongal. ...
eLanka Newsletter – 3rd December 2024 – 1st Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter Gospel Truth – By Lakshman Navaratne “Christmas time in Sri Lanka is a magical and sensational affair.” – By Harold Gunatillake SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS – By Victor Melder How can you lower the risk of heart disease? – By Dr harold Gunatillake Chamari Athapaththu Shines Bright in Debut for Northern Brave: Player of the Match Glory in NZ Super Smash! 31st night dinner dance organised by Bertie Ekanaike and the VOC at the Grand on Princes in Mulgrave, Melbourne. Pics. By Trevine Rodrigo. (eLanka) Vitamin D Safety and Adverse Effects – When Should Caution Be Advised? – By Prof. Sunil Wimalawansa WATER CUSHION MANUFACTURER AWARD WINNING CHANDANA MUHANDIRAM PROPRIETOR OF BLUE WATER MATTRESS – By Sunil Thenabadu SONGS OF PRAISE – A hymn ...
Jan 3, 2024
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Tagged Australia Day, Charles Schokman, eLanka Newsletter, Lakshman Navaratne, Michael Roberts, Thai Pongal
Thai Pongal Source : “Dæhæna” for January 2024. Thai Pongal, an auspicious festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, South India, Sri Lanka and by the Tamil diaspora worldwide, holds profound cultural and social significance. It marks the commencement of the Tamil month of Thai and is a fervent expression of gratitude to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest. Culturally, Thai Pongal is a vibrant celebration deeply rooted in agrarian traditions. The festival spans four days, each carrying distinct rituals and customs. The first day, Bhogi Pongal, involves the disposal of old possessions and the welcoming of new beginnings. Homes are cleansed, and bonfires are lit to symbolise the burning of the past and the anticipation of a fresh start. The second day, Thai Pongal, is the focal point, where families gather to cook the Pongal dish—a sweet rice pudding made from freshly harvested rice, jaggery, and milk. The act of boiling ...
Jan 2, 2024
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Tagged festival celebrated in Tamil community, Thai Pongal
THAI PONGAL 2023 – By Vasu Vasudevan Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – January 2023 As we celebrate the English New year along with all our Australian friends, we must not forget that Thai Pongal, one of the major Hindu festivals, will be celebrated soon on Sunday, the 15th of January. Thai Pongal is celebrated in a grand manner in the rice growing belt of South India and Sri Lanka to mark the end of winter months and the beginning of longer days as the sun commences its journey towards the northern hemisphere (also known as Utharayana). On this auspicious day, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn or Maka, hence this day s also called Makara Sankaranthi. On Thai Pongal day, newly harvested rice is boiled with milk and jaggery and offered to Surya or Sun God outside the house facing East. A new earthen pot ...
Canadian Parliamentarians mark Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month Source:tamilguardian.com Several Canadian Parliamentarians, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have released messages wishing Tamil Canadians a Happy Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month. In a statement, Prime Minister Trudeau wished the Tamil community a Happy Thai Pongal, stating, “Thai Pongal is a time of joy, celebration, and community… While festivities may look different again this year as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, I know Tamil Canadians will find ways to embody the core values of peace, unity, and compassion at the heart of the celebration of Thai Pongal… I wish everyone celebrating Thai Pongal, here in Canada and around the world, a joyful festival…Iniya Thai Pongal Nalvazhthukkal.” Thai Pongal is a time of celebration, joy, and community. And even though many of you are once again celebrating away from family and friends, I want to wish you and your ...
Thai Pongal, a tribute to Sun God By Dr Subashini Pthmanathan Source:dailymirror.lk Thai Pongal is regarded as one of the most important festivals among the Tamil Hindu Festivals. It is widely celebrated in India and all over the world by the Hindus. The Thai Pongal festival takes place on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai. Generally, the people celebrate the day as thanks giving day for the Sun God. The Son God provides energy, strength, and light for the paddy cultivation. Rice is considered the staple food in many parts of the world including Sri Lanka. Even Thai Pongal is said to be a Tamil Hindu festival, it is considered as a farmers’ Thanksgiving Day known as Ullavar Thirunal (Farmers Festival). Ullavar means farmers and Thirunal means an auspicious day. However, Thai Pongal day is known by different names in the Indian States. Some of them ...
Jan 15, 2022
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Tagged Maghi, Makar Sankranthi, Sankranthi or Pough, Sri Lanka, Sun God, Tamil Hindu Festivals, Tamil Nadu, Thai Pongal, Uttarayan
Thai Pongal Source:-Brisbane 4EB Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – January 2022 Thai Pongal is a Tamil community harvest festival. It is observed on the14th of the month of January. “Pongal”’ literally means overflowing and is named so because of the tradition of cooking new rice in pots until they overflow which is a symbol of abundance and prosperity. Thai Pongal is a festival dedicated to the sun by farmers who depend on Mother Nature for their staple food, rice. Women decorate the central courtyard of their homes with beautiful designs (called kolams). Families gather to rejoice and share their joy of their harvests with others. In the early morning the Sun is offered a “Pongal” of rice, milk and jaggery. Worship of sun is the principal activity. Houses and surroundings are cleaned, and people bathe early in the morning and wear traditional attire. The festival extends to four days. ...
Dec 31, 2021
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Tagged Aloysius Aseervatham, kolams, Tamil community harvest festival, Thai Pongal
