֍stoɾiesoftm

Tamil festival of Thai Pongal is a thanks giving ceremony in which the farmers celebrate the event to thank the spirits of nature spirit, the Sun and the farm animals for their assistance in providing a successful harvest. The rest of the people celebrate the festival to pay their thanks to the farmers for the production of food.

This festival is celebrated by one and all as it is non-relevance to any particular religious faith. The whole Tamil population of the world celebrate it without any differences. Therefore it is widely known as “Tamil Thai Pongal” or the “Festival of the Tamils”. With the saying ‘Thai Piranthal Vazhi Pirakkum’ in mind, we celebrate this festival hoping the birth of Thai month will pave way for new opportunities.

Ponggal is known to be celebrated even more grandly than deepavali in Tamil Nadu. In 2020, this three-day celebration will fall on the following dates:

• Thai Ponggal: 15th January
• Maatu Ponggal: 16th January
• Kaanum Ponggal: 17th January

During Thai / Surya Ponggal, it’s customary to cook ponggal (a mixture of rice and milk) during sunrise or sunset. According to Maamandram advisor Muthukumara Gurukkal, the auspicious time to conduct the prayer starts from 10.20am to 11.30am (Malaysian time) this year.  If you are working and unable to make ponggal in the morning, then the next auspicious time is from 5.30pm to 6.30pm (Malaysian time)

The New Year begins with the beginning of the month of Thai. It coincides with the harvest festival Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Pongal means “overflowing”, signifying abundance and prosperity. Newly harvested rice mixed with milk and sugar is boiled in a decorated new mud pot in a fireplace made for the purpose in open air. The festival is celebrated to give thanks to the Sun for providing energy for the growth of the crops.

Mattu Pongal is usually celebrated on the second day of pongal. “Mattu” means cow, as it plays an important role by helping the farmers to plough their fields. Cows are usually honored by being adorned with garlands of flowers, colorful beads and they even get their horns painted.

The third day of Pongal is known as “Kanni Pongal”, “Kanni” means maiden. On this day the unmarried women usually make Pongal and pray for good husbands.

Everything is new for Tamils on this new year day. They wear new clothes, homes are decorated with sugar cane, banana and mango leaves, and the floor of the house embellished with decorative kolam depicting a festive mood. May this Ponggal bring luck and prosperity to your home. Happy Ponggal !