Ponggal Celebration
We celebrated Ponggal on the 21st of January. It was the first time the seminary is celebrating it. The paraliturgy was in Tamil and English and the intercessions was in Vietnamese, Mandarin and Bahasa Melayu.
Ponggal is a harvest festival - the Tamil equivalent of Thanksgiving. Ponggal means the "boiling over" of milk and rice during the month of "Thai". Thai is the first month of the Tamil Almanac, and Ponggal is a dish of sweet concotion of rice, moong dal, jaggery and milk.
This cultural festival is celebrated by one and all as it is non-relevant to any particular religious faith. That is why, it was a unique celebration in the seminary where we had our Chinese and Vietnamese brothers joining us.
The whole Tamil population of the world celebrates it without any differences. Therefore it is widely known as "Tamil Thai Ponggal" or the "Festival of the Tamils".
There is a Tamil saying that "Thai Peranthal Vali Perakum". That phrase means with the dawn of the month of Thai, there will be a way, which includes the meaning for peace, happiness, prosperity, brightness and harmony in the life of everyone. Thai Ponggal is also an occasion for family re-unions and get-together. estrangements are healed and reconciliation effected.
Ponggal is a harvest festival - the Tamil equivalent of Thanksgiving. Ponggal means the "boiling over" of milk and rice during the month of "Thai". Thai is the first month of the Tamil Almanac, and Ponggal is a dish of sweet concotion of rice, moong dal, jaggery and milk.
This cultural festival is celebrated by one and all as it is non-relevant to any particular religious faith. That is why, it was a unique celebration in the seminary where we had our Chinese and Vietnamese brothers joining us.
The whole Tamil population of the world celebrates it without any differences. Therefore it is widely known as "Tamil Thai Ponggal" or the "Festival of the Tamils".
There is a Tamil saying that "Thai Peranthal Vali Perakum". That phrase means with the dawn of the month of Thai, there will be a way, which includes the meaning for peace, happiness, prosperity, brightness and harmony in the life of everyone. Thai Ponggal is also an occasion for family re-unions and get-together. estrangements are healed and reconciliation effected.
Some of the guys taking a snapshot after decorating the place for the event
I making a "Thoranam" - made out of tender coconut palm leaves.
The seminary community gathered in prayer at the porch of the Chapel
Fr. William Goh lights the Oil Lamp
Waiting for the milk to boil over
The milk boil over, and everyone present acclaim "Ponggalo Ponggal"
Fr. William Goh blessing the Ponggal, sugar cane, local fruits and vegetables that is found in the seminary