Thai Pongal Celebrations In Sri Lanka

One of the most cherished festivities celebrated by the Sri Lankan Tamils; this year’s Thai Pongal lands on the 15th of January, marking it the first day of the month of Thai on the Tamil traditional calendar. Thai Pongal is a thanksgiving ceremony where the farmers show gratitude to the spirits, the sun and the farm animals for their service in bringing forth a prosperous harvest.

Most Sri Lankans celebrate Thai Pongal as a two day festival. The celebrations open with the traditional sweet rice meal cooked outside in the sunlight, in dedication of the sun god. The families anxiously wait for the boiling over of the contents which is considered an auspicious sign followed by the blowing of the horn “sanggu” and the loud ringing of the female folks singing “Pongalo, Pongal” which indicates that the pot is overflowing.

On the second day of the Thai Pongal celebrations, the cattle and oxen are bathed and beautiful garlands are hung around their necks and horns, the oxen are also marked on their foreheads and horns with decorative dyes. This is done as an act of honor for the animals as they are an indication of wealth in every household providing milk, fertilizer, transportation and labor.

Tourists who visit Sri Lanka during the Thai Pongal celebration are able to indulge in the fireworks, traditional music and dance that last well into the night. The streets and homes of the celebrants are decorated with mango and banana leaves while their floors are adorned with colorful patterns made with colored rice and other items.

The delicious food such as the festive Pongal rice boiled in milk, spices, cashew and raisins, meat curries, pickled fruits and vegetables and the desserts such as “watalappam”, “kiri toffee” and “thala guli” are a must to experience if you’re visiting.




Written By: Kavisha Perera