Pongal Festival in Jaffna, Sri Lanka | Travel News Talk
Travel News Talk

Pongal Festival in Jaffna, Sri Lanka – Experience the Hindu Harvest Festival

Image Credit- Balaji KasirajanThai Pongal1CC BY-SA 3.0

Thai Pongal is one of the most significant Tamil celebrations, and takes place over four days and usually starts off around January 14th according to the Gregorian calendar. Thai Pongal is celebrated across the world where Tamil communities are found in nations such as Malaysia, India, South Africa Canada and of course Sri Lanka.

One of the best places to experience Thai Pongal in Sri Lanka is the northernmost province of Jaffna. During this time, Jaffna hotels in the North such as FOX Resorts Jaffna, are sure to experience a surge in reservations. This festival is celebrated to show praise to the Sun God and livestock for the abundance provided by a favourable harvest. Aspects of the festival involve cooking Pongal rice, the worship and decoration of cattle, and the carrying out of various rituals to bring forth more prosperity.