Starting of Sun’s Six Month Long Journey Northwards: Thai Pongal

The Tamil harvest festival is known as Thai Pongal. According to Gregorian calendar, Thai Pongal is celebrated for four days and this celebration is usually done from January 14 to January 16. This corresponds to the final day of the Tamil month Maargazhi to the third day of the Thai month of Tamil calendar.

Thai Pongal is one of the most crucial festivals which are celebrated by Tamil People in India as well as other countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa, United States, Singapore, Canada and UK.  It is also somewhat similar to Makara Sankranthi which is the winter harvest festival and is celebrated throughout India.

The festive day of Thai Pongal also marks the starting of sun’s six – month long journey northwards (the Uttaraayanam). It is also said by various astrologers that on this day sun enters the 10^th house of the Indian zodiac Makara or Capricorn. It is celebrated to appreciate Sun God and thank him for a successful harvest.

By: Bhavna Sharma

Content: Wikipedia