Thai Pongal in Jaffna

People worship & offer their food to the Sun God at sunrise

Thai Pongal is celebrated on the first day of the month Thai of the Tamil calendar. This year Pongal is on 15^th of January (Sunday), however it normally falls between 12th and 15th of the month of January in the Christian calendar. Thus, Thai is the first month of the Tamil Almanac, and Pongal is a dish of sweet concoction of rice, moong dal, jaggery and milk. This festival is celebrated by one and all as it is non-relevance to any particular religious faith. The whole Tamil population of the world celebrate it without any differences. Therefore it is widely known as "Tamil Thai Pongal" or the "Festival of the Tamils". In Jaffna it is one of the biggest events in the calendar when all come together and celebrate. There will be fireworks and celebrations all through the day and night. All temples hold special Pongal poojas where people make pongal in front of the temple.

Devotees and priests cook a ritual 'Pongal' at a Temple.

The Tamil festival of Thai Pongal 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 rest of the people celebrate the festival to pay their thanks to the farmers for the production of food. Overall, it is a festival to encourage social cohesiveness and unite people by bringing them together in a common function. There is a famous saying in Tamil-“Thai Piranthaal Vazhi Pirakkum” (தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்) meaning "the commencement of Thai paves the way for new opportunities" is often quoted regarding the Pongal festival.

Pongal offering in front of a supermarket at Jaffna Town.

Customs & Celebrations

Thai Pongal generally includes customs & celebrations that are the expression of jubilation over life's renewal. On Thai Pongal, the family begins the day early. Every member of the family gets up early in the morning, bathes, puts on new clothes and gathers in the front of the garden (muttram) to cook the traditional Pongal (rice pudding). The front garden is pre-prepared for this ceremonious cooking. A flat square pitch is made and decorated with kolam drawings, and it is exposed to the direct sun light. A fire wood hearth will be set up using three bricks. The cooking begins by putting a clay pot with water on the hearth.

A senior member of the family conducts the cooking and the rest of the family dutifully assists him or her or watches the event. When the water has boiled the rice is put into the pot - after a member the family ceremoniously puts three handful of rice in first. The other ingredients of this special dish are chakkarai (brown cane sugar) or katkandu (sugar candy), milk (cow's milk or coconut milk), roasted green gram (payaru), raisins, cashew nuts and few pods of cardamom.

When the meal is ready it is first put on a banana leaf and the family pray for few minutes to thank the nature sprit, the sun and farmers. Then the meal (Pongal) is served with fruits (banana and mango) among the family. Later it will be shared with neighbours, friends and relatives. Although every household makes the food, sharing each other’s 'Pongal' is the one of the important features of the event. The evenings are spent attending cultural events or visiting relatives and friends.

Mattu Pongal day demonstrate our recognition and affection. 

Thanksgiving Day

The next day of the Thai Pongal is devoted to thanksgiving to cattle called “Mattu Pongal” in Tamil. The farmers pay great attention to the animals which have ploughed the fields and drawn the carts throughout the year. To show his gratitude for this invaluable service the animals are bathed, their horns are painted in red, blue, yellow and green. Their foreheads are smeared with turmeric and kumkum. Their necks are adorned with colourful garlands. Pooja is offered to them and Pongal is given in plenty. On the Mattu Pongal day there are Cattle races in several parts of Jaffna.

Bull cart Race in Jaffna to celebrate the Pongal Festival.

Meaning & Significance

Thai Pongal is an occasion for family re-unions and get-together. Old enmities, personal animosities and rivalries are forgotten.The moment of climax is the spill over of the pongal during cooking. The spillover of milk is a propitious symbol of abundance. Sometimes, firecrackers are lit to signify the moment.Estrangements are healed and reconciliation effected. Indeed, Thai Pongal is a festival of freedom, peace, unity and compassion crystallized in the last hymn on unity in the Indian spiritual text the Rig Veda. Thus, love and peace are the central theme of Thai Pongal.

"Wish you all a Very Happy Thai Pongal and Enjoy your Holidays"

Nallur Festival

Historical Nallur Festival, also known as Nallur Kandaswamy temple annual festival, is the largest Hindu temple festival event in the Jaffna peninsula. The Nallur festival begins on every year August 15 and may last for 25 days. Last year nearly two hundred thousand visitors visited the event and the Jaffna hotels were unable to cope with the influx, warm-hearted residents of Jaffna from all faiths opened their doors to the pilgrims.The Nallur is the major highlight of socio, cultural and religious spirit of Jaffna society, Sri Lanka. 

The historic festival generally draws devotees from around the island as well as overseas particular from United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, India and Australia, most from the Tamil Diasporas who were unable to roam freely in the island during the thirty years of bloody civil war.According to tradition, Nallur Kantha Swamy Temple is said to be one of the few temples in the Peninsula that all the festivals, rites and observances as found in the Tamil Saivasim traditions are practiced and reflected with regularity, splendour and pageantry. It is said to be one of the impressive temples dedicated to Lord Murugan. The presiding Deity is Lord Muruga in the form of the holy Vel.

The annual Nallur Temple festival, which had in Hindus pay homage to Lord Murugan by way of offering flowers, burning incenses and coconuts amidst continuous recital of "Haro Haraa".Nallur festival, lasting for 25 days will conclude with ‘Theertham’ (Water Cutting ceremony) on September 10, followed by the ‘Poonkavanam’ (ceremony of Eternal Bliss) held on the next day. ‘Ther procession’ is to be held on September 9.The Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil or Nallur Murugan Kovil is one of the most significant Hindu temples in the Jaffna District of Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It stands in the town of Nallur and about 03 kms from Jaffna Town.

Top 10 Places to visit in Jaffna

Jaffna is situated on the northern tip of Sri Lanka and has a predominantly Tamil population and considered as a cultural capital of Tamils in Sri Lanka. The locals of Jaffna are indeed wonderful and friendly people and making a trip to this beautiful part of Sri Lanka should be a priority on anyone’s travel plan. Now the peace seems to be back. But the city will need a lot of time and money to regain its glory.

Below are Top 10 must visit places in Jaffna,

1) Jaffna Library

The Jaffna library was one of the best in Asia before being burned down by some Sinhala extremists. Now most of it is restored and it is open for public viewing. It is one of the monumental buildings in Jaffna and very close to the town.

2) Jaffna Fort

Situated on the south side of the Jaffna peninsula at the water’s edge of the lagoon, the ancient fort in Jaffna is the second largest existing fort in the Island. Originally built by the Portuguese in 1619 and re-built and expanded by the Dutch during the second half of the 17th and the 18th centuries to facilitate trading activities of Sri Lanka’s northern region indicate not only of Jaffna’s strategic importance to Europeans but its significance throughout Sri Lanka’s history.

3) Nallur Temple

Nallur Kandasamy Kovil is Jaffna's premier place of Hindu worship. Nallur Kandasamy Kovil characterised by a golden arch and elaborate gopuram attracts hundreds of pilgrims and worshippers. The present building of the kovil goes back to the eighteenth century. The original temple said to go back to the times of the Tamil kings was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1620 and stood on the site presently occupied by St. James Church about a quarter mile from the present temple. This temple is a place of the most important religious festival on Jaffna's Peninsula. It last 26 days and finish on the first day of August's full moon. Don't forget to try out ice creams from the famous ice cream shop (Lingam Cool bar) nearby when you visit there. The Nallur kovil is about 1Km from the Jaffna town.

4) Sangilean Thoopu

During the existence of Nallur Rajadhani, last king of the kingdom of the people in the northern part of the country was Sankiliyan.But with the arrival of the Portuguese rule in Sri Lanka the fall of the kingdom was inevitable. This arch is found in the land where the earlier Tamil King Sangiliyan's Palace stood. Now there is an entrance-arch, but this is said to be part of a later Dutch building. The Sangilean Thoopu is about 2.7 Km from Jaffna bus stand.

5) Nainatheevu

There are boat services available and the boat ride is an enjoyable way to visit the island. The Island is a bit far from Jaffna and it will take around 2-3 hours to get there, depending on the availability of the boats.

Naga Pooshani Ambal Kovil

Original temple was built by a rich foreign trader who received blessing from Goddess Ambal Devi when passing by in the sea, was demolished in the sixteen century by Portuguese. However Ambal statue was hidden by locals and temple was rebuilt in 18 century. The actual gopuram was added in 1933.Many parents bring their new-born babies to this temple seeking the blessing of Goddess Meenkashi (wife of Shiva) to whom this temple is now dedicated.
 

Nagadipa Purana Vihara

This Temple is one of the three places in Sri Lanka where Lord Buddha has visited so Nagadeepa viharaya is an important destination for Buddhist pilgrims. Purana Vihara were constructed by the two warring Naga kings, Mahodara and his nephew Chulodara, at the site where Lord Buddha during his second visit to Lanka - five years after attaining Enlightenment - intervened and mediated in settling a dispute over the possession of a gem-studded throne; This precious throne which was offered to the Buddha, was returned by him to the Naga Kings and was later enshrined in stupa located next to the temple.

6) Kandarodei / Kadurugoda Temple

There is an ancient Buddhist historical place called 'Kandarodei' situated in the midst of Palmyra trees near to Chunnakam and it is 8 Km away from Jaffna Town. There are small dagobas numbering 61 scattered over about 1/2 acre land. Those small structures are constructed with ash-coloured stone. Some dagobas have only the foundation. A Buddha statue, Bodhisaththva statue, a stone scripture and some coins believed to be in the 1st and 2nd centuries were found in this area. They are preserved at Jaffna museum.

7) Casuarina beach

One of the best beaches in the Jaffna peninsula, the shallow waters and the very gentle waves making it an ideal for safe sea bathing. You can a long way toward the sea in the clear blue water and a great place to visit to have a break during your travels. There are houses for rent if you want stay in this area, and it is around 15 Km away from Jaffna Town.

8) Charty Beach

This clean prestige beach is situated in Allaippiddy, which is located some 23 Km North of Jaffna Town.

9) Keerimalai/Naguleeswaram Temple

Keerimalai is renowned for its natural water spring where illnesses and sicknesses are cured miraculously after bathing in it. Only a stone wall separate the pool from the sea but the water is fresh water coming from a spring. There is a Hindu Temple called Naguleeswaram Temple is situated near to the Keerimali pond and is very popular among Hindu’s. The nearest place is Kankeesanthurai and situated northern tip of the Jaffna peninsula around 15 Km away from Jaffna Town. 

10) Dambakola Patuna

An ancient port in Sri Lanka, this is where Sangamiththa theraniya landed while bringing the Bo saplings used at Sri Maha Bodiya. There is a temple and a statue of Sangamiththa theraniya.The Tamil name of this place called Mathagal and situated around 20 Km from Jaffna Town.

Jaffna

Formerly known as Yarl-Paanam, Jaffna is nestled in northern nook of Sri Lanka. Highly populated with Tamil speaking people, Jaffna is miraculous district with the abundance of attractive Palmyra palm. Though the city is having dry and humid climate, yet also quite successful in alluring tourists from all over the world. Increment in travelers every year resulted into high boom in the accommodation business; therefore, perfect accommodation is not at all matter of issue in Jaffna. The trip to Jaffna moves in perfect direction if one decided to go there during festival season as the festivals of this place are so spell-bided. You can enjoy the major festivals of Jaffna like Thai-Pongal (harvest festival), Nallur Kovil Thaer Thiruvizha(Chariot festival) and Theepavali.

Jaffna peninsula is consecrated with number of tourist attractions that deserves your visit. The city is sprinkled with numerous attractions evenly in each side of the district.The must visit places are Jaffna Library,Jaffna Fort,Nallur Temple,Sangilean Thoopu,Nainatheevu,Kantharodai,Casuarina Beach,Charty Beach,Keerimalai and Dambakola Pattuna. Trip to Jaffna will sure be an unforgettable chapter of your life.