Thai Pongal messages

Thai Pongal, most popular event in Hindu calendar - President

“On this Thai Pongal Day, the most popular event in the Hindu religious calendar, I wish the Sri Lankan Hindus prosperity, peace and happiness in the coming year and beyond,” states President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Thai Pongal message. The message adds: Traditionally a thanksgiving ceremony of the farming community Hindus offer prayers of gratitude to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest and also pay tribute to the farm animals who helped them in the cultivation.

A feast of freedom, peace, love and compassion it provides new opportunities for family re-union, meeting friends and aquaintances and reconciliation between estranged relatives and friends. As Sri Lanka is advancing towards prosperity and betterment of the lives of its people I call upon the Hindus and all people to re-kindle their resolve to bring about further social cohesion and unity of all communities co-existing in the new peaceful environment in the country. Let Thai Pongal signify not only the beginning of the month of Thai but also the beginning of a new life of peace and friendship among all peoples.’
 

Most sacred day observed by Hindus - PM

“It is with great pleasure I send my message of felicitation on the Thai-Pongal day, which is the most sacred day observed by Hindus who offer various poojas to the Sun God invoking blessings for prosperity, states Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne in a Thai Pongal message.

The message adds: ‘I am of the view that the Thai-Pongal Festival which is a very sacred cultural event of Hindus of Sri Lanka and the world over, should be observed by all ethnic groups. ‘In the Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma of the President pride of place has been given to afford equal rights to all religions and promote harmony among all ethnic groups. ‘It is high time that we members of society that receives blessings and guidance of such a dynamic leadership, work hand in hand both religiously and culturally. There is nothing that we couldn’t achieve without a collective effort. Petty selfishness leaves us with sorrow, not happiness. How many examples to this effect could be found in that dark, horrendous era which substituted life with death.

‘On this sacred Thai-Pongal day that Hindus the world over offer various poojas to invoke blessings, it is sine qua non to commemorate all Tamil brothers, sisters and loving children who lost their lives during that dark era. At a time we invoke blessings of the Sun God for the well being and prosperity, the Tamil community has a bounden duty and a responsibility towards our motherland. That is to make a supreme sacrifice to safeguard our motherland from hostile forces by vigilantly identifying the good from the bad. Then only we will be able to take this sacred land to the helm of prosperity. ‘I request you all to light a new oil lamp towards this wish in order to bear fruits.

‘I wish you every success in your endeavors.’

‘Tamils look forward to a bounteous, prosperous period’

The All Ceylon Hindu Congress in a release said that the Tamil speaking people looked forward to a bounteous and prosperous period.

The full text of the release:

On Thai Pongal Day everyone is hoping that there will be a new future. Tamil people look forward for the arrival of a bounteous and prosperous period.

It is an unique festival with a great religious and cultural significance, reflecting traditions of the Tamil people.

From ancient times, the people have been worshipping the sun as the sun is considered to be the power, giving life to everyone on the globe and in particular, to the farmers who celebrate this day honouring the sun for a bountiful harvest. People have celebrated this as a day on which evil disappears.

The celebrations of Thai Pongal in the past, were full of memories. Everybody’s wish is that a bountiful and prosperous period should arrive. Furthermore, it is considered as a divine day of dedication. We appeal to all the Hindus to pray on this divine day for peace and prosperity to be restored by the Grace of His Almighty, Shri Sivakami Amman Sametha Shri Nadarajah Peruman.

On this occasion we wish to make three appeals:

1. The situation of our brothers and sisters living as refugees should change. They should be able to get back to their homes and live as citizens of this country, with all the rights and freedom as citizens of this country in the month of ‘Thai’. A political solution should be found to satisfy the aspirations of Tamil speaking people without delay. We appeal to the government and the TNA to continue with the talks and find an amicable political solution in the month of ‘Thai’. All Tamil leaders should forget their personal goals, forget their selfishness and unite together to achieve that. We make this appeal again. All Ceylon Hindu Congress is constructing a ‘Madam’ with a large Annadhane hall and 10 rooms, on the land of Sivapoomi Trust in Keerimalai. It is due to be completed in the month of ‘Thai’. Families who can afford are requested to contribute to the costs of constructing a room, in the name of their late family heads or in the name of their family.