A thanksgiving for the sun god at Cancer Society Kandy branch

By Udumbara Udugama

Yesterday, January 14 was Thai Pongal. Not strictly a religious festival there is a touch of religious observance in the celebration, as religion has become a part and parcel of most festivals. Thai is the first month of the Tamil calendar which is January and Pongal is celebrated between the dates 12 and 15 every year.

Thai Pongal is an ancient custom of the Tamils, a thanksgiving ceremony performed by farmers in gratitude to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest. In India, the festival is spread over four days whereas in Sri Lanka it is celebrated over two days only, the Thai Pongal Day and Mattu Pongal.

The Sri Lanka Cancer Society Kandy Branch celebrated Thai Pongal for the tenth successive year. In consultation with the Executive Committee of the Society, the Tamil community in Kandy organised this event to make the employees, volunteers and the inmates aware of the significance of Thai Pongal. The ceremony began with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp. A temple priest conducted a pooja. Two girls danced to entertain the inmates, singing the praise of the deities.

The ceremony began at sun rise, when the Sun’s rays fell direct on the ‘Kolam’ on the ground made with coloured rice flour at the entrance to the building facing the East, the design depicting the Sun and other symbols. Rice flour is used so that insects such as ants can feed on it. Sugarcane is considered an essential item in the ‘Kolam’ and it was placed with the leaves as a decoration. A new clay pot with turmeric mango leaves and a few flowers tied round its mouth was placed on a hearth in the centre of the ‘Kolam.’ When the milk boils and spills over, the people exclaim “Pongalo Pongal !”.

The word ‘Pongal’ means ‘boil over’. First, a handful of rice was taken round the pot by a lady three times and gently put in. In homes, this is generally done by the head of the household. Thereafter, more rice was added by others present. The dish prepared is also known as Pongal. When the rice was being cooked, jaggery, raisins, cashew, green gram and ghee were added. Once the ‘Pongal’ was ready, it was served to everyone present.

The ladies who organised this ceremony, had prepared a traditional breakfast for all the inmates and guests who were present at the function.

The first day is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and Mattu Pongal on the second day, is when the farm animals, the cattle, are appreciated for helping the farmers with their agricultural work.

On Mattu Pongal day, the cattle are bathed and decorated with garlands of flowers and bells. The horns are painted in bright colours of red, blue, yellow and green. They are fed with ‘Pongal’ the sweet milk rice. The left over is placed on a stone for the crows and other birds to eat. Through this festival people show their compassion for animals, birds and insects.

In Tamil Nadu, South India, Thai Pongal festival is celebrated as Sankranthi or Makara Sankarthi and spread over four days. The first day is Bhogi festival in honour of Lord Indra, the deity responsible for the clouds and rain - thanking Lord Indra for the rains received by the farmers at the correct time for their cultivation.

On that day, householders make a bonfire using dry cow-dung and wood to burn all the useless items such as old utensils in the house. Since it is the end of spring, they make use of this bonfire to warm themselves and sitting round it they sing in praise of the deities.

On the second day the Pongal is cooked. The third day is the Mattu Pongal, the day dedicated to the cattle. The fourth day is Kannu Pongal where the womenfolk perform rituals seeking blessings and prosperity for their brothers.

Other states in India too celebrate the harvest festival but use different names for Thai Pongal.