Thai Pongal (Tamil: தை
பொங்கல்) is a harvest festival celebrated
byTamilians at the end of the harvest season. Pongal is a four day festival
which usually takes place from January 13 to 16 in the Gregorian calendar i.e.,
the last day of the Tamil month Margazhi to the third day of Tamil month Thai.
In Tamil, the word Pongal means
"overflowing" which signifies abundance and prosperity. On the day of
Pongal, at the time of sun rise there is a symbolic ritual of boiling fresh
milk in a new clay pots and when the milk boils over and bubbles out of the
vessel, people shout "Pongalo Pongal!" They also say "Thai
Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum" meaning "the commencement of Thai paves the
way for new opportunities" is often quoted regarding the Pongal festival.
Thai Pongal is mainly celebrated to convey the appreciation and thankfulness to
the Sun God as it act as the primary energy behind agriculture and a good
harvest.
