Article By: Holistic Life Mentor Dr. Badri Narayanan. Ph: 95000 64319.

Thai Pongal is the most ancient and colorful festival, deeply rooted in Tamil culture and Hindu mythology. This festival is a time to express gratitude to Surya Bhagavan for a bountiful harvest.
During the celebration, a pot is decorated with a turmeric plant and flower garland, then placed in the sun with sugarcane stalks. Pongal, a sweet rice dish, is made by cooking freshly harvested rice, milk, jaggery and ghee together in the pot. As the Pongal boils and spills over, everyone joyfully exclaims, “Pongalo Pongal!” symbolizing abundance. This festival is a time for celebration, gratitude and reverence for nature, livestock and the divine.
On Mattu Pongal, farmers show gratitude to their livestock by bathing and decorating their cows, parading and worshiping them, and hosting Jallikattu competitions to honor their cows.
The final day, Kaanum Pongal, is a time for socializing and bonding with nature. People gather with relatives and friends to visit scenic spots, enjoy picnics, strengthen relationships, and create memories.
Special pujas are performed in Perumal, Shiva, and Ambal temples on this auspicious day. Pongal is indeed a festival that embodies the spirit of gratitude, community, and celebration.