Pongal 2025 UK: Date, Traditions, and Significance
Pongal, a major harvest festival for Tamil Hindus, will be celebrated from Tuesday, January 14, 2025, to Friday, January 17, 2025. It marks the beginning of the Tamil month Thai and is observed to express gratitude to nature for a bountiful harvest.
Key Dates for Pongal 2025 in the UK:
Bhogi Pongal: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Thai Pongal: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Mattu Pongal: Thursday, January 16, 2025
Kaanum Pongal: Friday, January 17, 2025
Pongal is celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Tamil Nadu, India, and by Tamil communities across the globe, including the United Kingdom.
What is Pongal?
Pongal is a four-day festival, with Thai Pongal being the main event, and it corresponds with Makar Sankranti in Northern India. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, and is a time to give thanks for agricultural abundance.
The Four Days of Pongal
Bhogi Pongal: This day is dedicated to cleaning and discarding old belongings, symbolizing a fresh start. In Tamil communities in the UK, homes are decorated with traditional kolam (rangoli), and a bonfire is lit.
Thai Pongal: The main day, celebrated with cooking the special dish Pongal. Freshly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery are boiled together in an earthen pot, and this dish is offered to the Sun God. In the UK, Tamil families and communities prepare this at home and in temples.
Mattu Pongal: This day honors cattle, which are vital for farming. While cattle worship might not be common in the UK, the day is celebrated with feasts and gatherings.
Kaanum Pongal: A day of family reunions and picnics. Tamil families in the UK use this day to visit relatives or spend time at community events.
Significance of Pongal:
London: Major Tamil temples like Shree Ghanapathy Temple and Sri Murugan Temple hold special Pongal pujas and community gatherings.
Leicester: Tamil associations organize events, featuring traditional dance and music, followed by Pongal feasts.
Birmingham: Cultural festivals and temple events mark the occasion, with Tamil families participating in community celebrations.
Pongal 2025 Muhurat and Key Times in London:
Thai Pongal Muhurat: January 14, 2025
Sankranti Moment: 03:33 AM (London time)
Sunrise for Pongal rituals: 08:04 AM
Conclusion
Pongal in 2025 offers an opportunity for Tamil communities in the UK to reconnect with their roots, participate in vibrant cultural festivities, and give thanks for the abundance in life. Whether attending temple events or celebrating at home, Pongal serves as a reminder of Tamil heritage and the significance of nature.
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