The Official Website of the Royal Family of Jaffna (Sri Lanka)

Arya Cakravarti Dynasty

THAI PONGAL MESSAGE ISSUED BY

H. R. H. RAJA REMIGIUS KANAGARAJAH OF JAFFNA

On the occasion of the Thai Pongal Festival I extend my greetings and my best wishes to all the Sri Lankan Hindu devotees and Hindus around the world, may this Thai Pongal bring peace, prosperity and happiness now and throughout the year.

In the Hindu tradition, there are many festivals that are observed throughts the year. Thai Pongal is an ancient festival and the history of the festival can be traced back to the Sangam period 200 B.C. to 300 A.D.

During the reign of my ancestors Thai Pongal was grandly celebrated in Jaffna and it is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Tamil People in Sri Lanka. It is a thanks giving ceremony in which the farmers celebrate the event to thank the spirits of nature spirit, the Sun and the farm animals for their assistance in providing a successful harvest.

The word Pongal in Tamil means "boiling over" of milk and rice in the clay pot symbolizes material abundance for the household.

There is a saying that goes "Thai Piranthal Vazhi Pirakkum", which means that with the dawn of the month of Thai, will pave the way for new opportunities.

I wish you all a Happy Thai Pongal!

May the blessings of Lord Sri Kailasanathar be upon you all!

Rajadhani Nilayam
The Netherlands