In preparation for Pongal, those who celebrated flocked to the one spot that had everything they needed – Little India. From fresh sugarcane and turmeric leaves to brass pots, banana leaves, and festive sweets, the area came alive with pre-festival hullabaloo.
Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil community to give thanks to the Sun, Mother Nature and the farm animals that contribute to a bountiful harvest. Observed over four days, it also marks the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai, which is considered auspicious, and usually falls on January 14 or 15.
Pongal is also the name of the dish prepared during the festival – a sweet rice dish whose name comes from the Tamil word pongu, meaning “to boil over”.
To learn more about Pongal, head to the Indian Heritage Centre this weekend, on Jan 17 and 18, for its annual Pongal Open House!
