Celebrate Thai Pongal Festival with Ebullience

“Pongal means to “boil over” or to “flourish” and the word Pongal was derived from the Tamil word, “Pongu”.
Thai Pongal is an important festival with religious, social, cultural and mythological importance 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 that help to contribute to a “bountiful harvest,” to their happy and prosperous life.
The harvest festival of Pongal is celebrated in the Tamil month of “Thai” (from mid January to mid February), which is considered as an auspicious month, and usually falls on the 14th or 15th of every year.

The Origin and History of the Thai Pongal Festival and the Importance of the Sun God

People believe that even in the ancient “Chola Empire” days 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 illuminating the world, but an all-seeing eye, source of wisdom, cure of disease and Patron of Justice and the Soul. The 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”).
Sun worship is believed to bring success and prosperity in all areas of life including career, business and personal relationships.
The sun offers protection. The Sun is considered to be a powerful force that can protect one from negative energies and evil influences thus giving positivity in life.

Celebration  Aspects of the Thai Pongal Festival

Truly speaking, Thai Pongal is celebrated for four days.

Day 1: Bhogi Pongal
The first day of Pongal is called “Bhogi Pongal”. 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
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 prayers 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 their homes, and engage in traditional rituals at the beginning of the day.

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. Pongal is good for the heart, immune system and digestive system.

Day 3: Maatu Pongal
The third day is called “Maatu Pongal.” This day is devoted to honour and worship 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
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 blessings of the older members of their families. It is also a day for traditional folk dances.

Message from the Writer

We have withstood the calamities and crises, and are seeing 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 wishing your Hindu friends in the following manner:
Wish you a happy Thai Pongal (“Iniya Thai Pongal Nal Vaalthugal”) or (“Iniya Thai Thirunaal Nal Vaalthugal”) or simply by saying “Pongal Vaalthugal” ( 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 Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi bless you all, abundantly.
Celebrate Thai Pongal Festival with ebullience.

The writer is a Life Transformational Coach and an Inspirational Speaker. He was the former President of the Youth League for Sanathana Dharmic Perception (YLSDP), Sri Lanka for three consecutive years and the former Senior Advisor and Senior Lecturer of Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Hindu Religious School, Colombo, the educational Wing of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam, a historical and sacred 150-year Hindu (Shivan) Temple in Sri Lanka.