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. ...
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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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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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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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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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Thai Pongal Source:Dæhæna – Monthly e-Newsletter January 2021 Thai Pongal is a uniquely Tamil festival as opposed to many other Hindu festivals that Tamils celebrate. Pongal is the only festival of the Hindus that follows a solar calendar and is celebrated on January 14 every year. Pongal has astrological significance. It marks the beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun’s movement northward for a six-month period. In Hinduism, Uttarayana is considered auspicious, as opposed to Dakshinaayana, or the southern movement of the Sun. All important events are scheduled during this period. Pongal is the day when the pot of milk and rice must boil over. Early in the morning, before sunrise, the women of the house draw intricate kolam outside their doors. Within the perimeters of kolam, firewood is used to cook the rice. This is the Surya Pongal, the Pongal for the Sun God. The following day’s Mattu Pongal is dedicated ...
