Tamil Thai Pongal Day is an illustrious festival celebrated by the Tamil community of Sri Lanka annually. This significant holiday marks the end of the traditional farming season, giving thanks to the sun god, rain, and farm animals for their assistance in producing an abundant harvest. It is a time of rejuvenation, renewal and thanksgiving, associated with prosperity and abundance.
The celebrations typically last for four days, with Tamil Thai Pongal Day being the second day of the celebrations. On this day, families gather to cook Pongal, a dish made out of newly harvested rice, boiled in milk with jaggery. The word 'Pongal' itself means 'to boil over' or 'overflow', symbolizing abundance and prosperity. As the dish boils over, people shout 'Pongalo Pongal' - wishing for prosperity for everyone.
Apart from cooking and feasting, the day also involves various traditional practices and rituals. Some of these include drawing of Kolam - intricate designs made out of rice flour at the entrance of their homes, and worshipping Surya, the sun god, for the light and energy he provides. Evidently, Tamil Thai Pongal Day is a special day to express gratitude and celebrate the bounties of nature, making it a vital staple in Sri Lankan Tamil community's cultural tapestry.