Friday, June 10, 2011
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thai Pongal Festival
Thai Pongal, which falls on January 15, is one of the most significant and colorful ceremonies celebrated by Tamil Hindus of Sri Lanka and India. The harvest festival is a feast of thanksgiving where the Hindus offer their thanks to the Sun God who had been instrumental in giving them a bountiful harvest.
After the wet months of October, November and December, it signifies the arrival of the sun and bounteous crops. This is the time when people clean and renovate their houses and old pots and pans are replaced with new ones.
There are many ritual associated with the festival, starting with the boiling of a pot of rice at sunrise on the front doorstep of the house, to shouts of “pongal” from family members.
The next day is Paddipongal. This event honors the cattle, which play a vital role in agriculture societies. Cows and bulls get a rest on this day.
After the wet months of October, November and December, it signifies the arrival of the sun and bounteous crops. This is the time when people clean and renovate their houses and old pots and pans are replaced with new ones.
There are many ritual associated with the festival, starting with the boiling of a pot of rice at sunrise on the front doorstep of the house, to shouts of “pongal” from family members.
The next day is Paddipongal. This event honors the cattle, which play a vital role in agriculture societies. Cows and bulls get a rest on this day.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)