Sri Lanka, Jan. 15 -- Thai Pongal is one of the first Hindu festivals of the year which is celebrated by Tamils across the world. The multi-day harvest festival of South India is observed during the second week of January. It is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya). Farmers worship the Sun and celebrate the harvest for the whole year. The festival is largely celebrated in India for four days and it includes Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal. Sri Lankans generally celebrate Thai Pongal for two days with the Pongal being cooked on the first day.

History of Pongal

'Thai' is referred to the 10th month in the Tamil calendar and the word pongu is the act of boiling over of a pot of rice. Pongal is also the name of a sweetened dish of ri...