Gateway to Jaffna:

Thousands taste Pongal rice

Elephant Pass, once a base for heavy fighting between terrorists and soldiers, turned a traditional Hindu village on Saturday where troops served Pongal rice to Jaffna people and thousands of others visiting Jaffna.

Soldiers of the 55 Division commanded by Brigadier Sudath Perera assisted by Task Force 7 troops cooked the largest Pongal rice at the Elephant Pass gateway to Jaffna, marking the Thai Pongal Hindu cultural annual festival 2011.

Over 9,000 passed the location out of and towards Jaffna on January 15 from 7 am to noon. This is the first instance that such a massive Pongal rice was prepared in Sri Lankan history, the Army said.

This was on a concept of Commander Security Forces Jaffna Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe.

The modern hamlet created at the edge of the Elephant Pass lagoon by 55 Division soldier consisted of some traditional houses inhabited by Tamil families of Hindu faith with vegetation and animal-rearing so that any one who walked around could feel the real sense of this Hindu festival.

Sounds of crackers and Pongal music reverberated the air throughout while all passers by enjoyed the Pongal rice with Sakkara (jaggery) cooked by soldiers. Occasional showers were not a barrier to the event.

A cultural performance had also been arranged at the venue adorned with National Flags, floral decorations and Kolam.

Major General Hathurusinghe accompanied by Brigadier B C J A F Rodrigo and senior officers visited all houses to meet people and handed over Thai Pongal gifts.