Tamilians come together to celebrate Pongal
Over thousands of Tamilians gather today to celebrate Pongal today. The festival of Pongal is celebrated in Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tamil Nadu, India and the UK and USA on streets and in homes.
Pongal is the harvest festival and is normally celebrated on the 14th January every year. Thai Pongal is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Tamil people.
The day marks the start of the sun’s six-month-long journey northwards (the Uttaraayanam). This also corresponds to the Indic solstice when the sun purportedly enters the 10th house of the Indian zodiac Makara or Capricorn.
Thai Pongal is mainly celebrated to convey appreciation to the Sun God for a successful harvest. Part of the celebration is the boiling of the first rice of the season consecrated to the Sun – the Surya Maangalyam.
Happy Pongal to all!