Thai Pongal

Pongal means 'to boil over or overflow' in reference to the dish that is traditionally prepared on this day. The dish involves a new harvest of rice, milk, and jaggery. The dish is first offered to the Gods and Goddesses, then the cows and then it is served to the family members. During the celebrations, cows and their horns are decorated. The festivities also include decorating houses with kolam artworks made with rice powder along with banana leaves. Prayers are offered in the temple and families come together to exchange gifts, have meals, and have a gala time together. 

The first mention of Pongal can be found in one of the inscriptions in the Viraraghava temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The inscription talks about king Kulottunga I from the Chola period and refers to a piece of land that was granted by him to the temple for celebrating Pongal every year. That is why even the first mention of the Pongal dish is dated back to the same era.