May the sun bring hope and a bountiful harvest bring prosperity!

‘Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava’

May you see your mother as God, your father as God, your teacher as God, your guests as God

– Taittiriya Upanishad

Thai Pongal is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Tamils in Sri Lanka, India, and several other countries. This article outlines some aspects regarding this festival, marked in Sri Lanka yesterday (14), its historical context, the classical Pongal dish, and the events that occur on the different Pongal festival days.

Thai Pongal is celebrated in the month of January, which is in the tenth month of the Tamil calendar. The festival is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God in Hinduism. The Thai Pongal festival marks the end of winter solstice, the start of the sun’s (the king of the planets) six-month-long journey northwards and its entry into Capricorn (Makara).

During this festival, houses and places of worship are decorated with kolam or rangoli (traditional art forms that are drawn using rice flour), the classical Pongal dish is made, and families engage in Pongal activities.

What does Thai Pongal mean?

‘Thai’ refers to the tenth month of the Tamil calendar. The name ‘Pongal’, comes from the Tamil word ‘pongu’, meaning ‘to boil over’. This symbolises abundance and a farmer’s joy during the harvest period. Pongal signifies new beginnings and prosperity and manifests as a vibrant festival of gratitude and unity. It is a time of rituals, feasts, and celebrations.

Thai Pongal appears to be an ancient festival. It appears to be rooted in Tamil history from the Sangam Age. In South India, the Sangam Age is the period from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE.

A 9th-century Shaiva Bhakti text called ‘Tiruvembavai’ by Manikkavachakar mentions this festival. Furthermore, it is also mentioned in an inscription found at the Veeraraghava Swamy Temple, dedicated to God Vishnu in Thiruvallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This inscription is attributed to the Chola king Kulottunga I (1070–1122 CE). In addition, temple inscriptions from the Chola and the Vijayanagara periods contain recipes similar to the Pongal recipes of modern times.

Pongal dish

The Pongal dish is prepared by boiling freshly harvested rice in cow’s milk and jaggery/raw cane sugar. Other ingredients may also be used and include coconut, ghee, cardamoms, raisins, green gram (mung), and cashew nuts. The contents are cooked in a clay pot that is often garlanded with leaves or flowers. A turmeric plant is often tied around the vessel. Turmeric is said to signify a disease-free, healthy year ahead, due to its antibacterial properties.

The dish is either cooked at home or at a community gathering, such as in a temple or village open space. When the rice starts to boil, a horn called sangu is blown, while the participants shout out ‘pongalo’, which means the pot is overflowing. At times, they also chant the Tamil words ‘Thai pirandhal vazhi pirakkum’, meaning the beginning of the month of Thai makes way for new opportunities.

The Pongal dish is dedicated to the Sun God Surya and its ‘boiling over’ is believed to symbolically mark the blessing by Parvati. Initially, the dish is offered to the Gods Surya and Ganesha and then shared with family and friends who have gathered.

The four days of Pongal

In South India, the festival is traditionally celebrated over four days: Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal. Sri Lankans generally celebrate Thai Pongal for two days, with the Pongal being cooked on the first day.

Bhogi Pongal: The festival begins with Bhogi Pongal. This is a day of cleansing and renewal. Old and unwanted items are burned, symbolising the end of the past and a fresh start. Bhogi Pongal is celebrated on the last day of the month of Margazhi. People decorate their homes, new utensils and vessels are bought, and the home and environment are cleaned up.

Surya or Perum Pongal: The second and most significant day honours the Sun God Surya. Women decorate the central courtyard of their homes with beautiful kolams. Families prepare the traditional sweet rice dish, Pongal, early in morning during sunrise. This is offered to the Sun God as gratitude for a bountiful harvest.

Mattu Pongal: Mattu Pongal pays tribute to cattle, which have been the backbone of agriculture for many years. Farmers bathe their cattle, paint their horns, adorn them with garlands, and feed them special treats.

Kaanum Pongal: The festival concludes with Kaanum Pongal, where families gather, relax, have a sumptuous meal, and put on cultural events. Traditional dances such as kummi and kolattam are performed. Special prayers are offered by women for the wellbeing of their brothers.

Thai Pongal is a time when humans’ love for nature and nature’s love for humans overflow. Humans make nature happy by having good thoughts and doing good actions. Nature blesses humans with a bountiful harvest. It is a time for putting up decorations using kolam artworks, offering prayers in the home and temples, getting together with family and friends, exchanging gifts, and renewing social bonds.

(The writer is a medical doctor, academic, and nature, history, and art enthusiast)

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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication