Tamil Thai Pongal is celebrated all over the world by those who follow the Hinduism religion, and most are Tamil. Hindu Tamils can be found in India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and other countries. In Sri Lanka, the holiday is mostly celebrated in the North, West, East, and Central regions, and anywhere Hindus live. In India, it is celebrated for four days, but in Sri Lanka, it is only celebrated for one or two days. Thai Pongal is the first day of the month of Thai on the traditional Tamil calendar, which normally lands somewhere between January 13th and 16th.
This festival includes feasting, visiting relatives, and giving out gifts. It is the most cherished of all Tamil holidays and has been celebrated for at least 1,000 years.
Thai Pongal is dedicated to harvesting and the sun by farmers who depend on Mother Nature and her elements for their harvest of rice. Farmers depend on the elements of the sun, rain, soil, water, and cows, buffaloes, etc., that Mother Nature gifts. People celebrate this festival to offer their thanks.
Pongal is a four-day holiday (except in Sri Lanka where it is only celebrated for two days), and each day is dedicated to something different. The first day is Bhogie, where people burn unwanted or old items, which symbolizes the end of the old and the beginning of new. Day two is Surya Pongal, the most important day, where worshippers wake up early to bathe and worship the Hindu Sun God, whose name is Surya. Day three is Mattu Pongal, which is dedicated to farmers. Day four is Kaanum Pongal where people offer food to the Sun God and visit relatives and loved ones.
The main food dish on this holiday is “Pongal”. It is a dish made with rice boiled in milk, jaggery, plums, and other spices, traditionally made in earthenware pots over a wooden fire.
People have developed many unique ways to celebrate Tamil Thai Pongal. You will find that there are many interesting festivities and delicious foods to enjoy in this exciting holiday.
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