Tamil communities in Sri Lanka and around the world mark the ‘Thai Pongal’ festival today (Jan. 15).
The festival, which is. regarded as one of the most important Tamil festivals, takes place on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai.
The day is spent expressing gratitude to the Sun God for blessing the fields with bountiful harvests with preparations beginning from boiling milk to signify prosperity and offering the sacred ‘Pongal’ dish to the Sun God.
This is followed by ‘Mattu Pongal’, where farmers express gratitude towards cattle for their efforts to ensure successful plantations.
The National Reconciliation Thai Pongal festival this year will be held at the Ayyanayaka Kovil in Karainagar, Jaffna at 10.00 am with Justice Minister – Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the child guest.
