Pongal celebrated in SEVAI Shanthi Matric.Higher Secondary School.

Kolam drawn by students

Pongal Pooja

SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Pettavaithalai celebrated Pongal festival in an impressive manner in January 2015. The students and teachers and the non teaching staff prepared pongal and also participated in Pongal rangolis. The School principal, Mrs.Chitra Balasubramaniam mentioned, “the initiative was to familiarize the children with the rich culture and traditions of Tamilnadu. Pongal, is celebrated marking the harvest season, is a thanksgiving festival. It is a way of expressing gratitude to the sun, soil, water and oxen”. The Pongal was cooked in a pot in courtyard on stove made of bricks. When the water started boiling and over flows the students

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and participants prayed loudly“Pongolo Pongal”. Once Pongal was cooked, it was removed from the stove and a puja is offered. A

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small portion was kept in a leaf and served to the crows. The school Pongal yard was decorated with banana and mango leaves and decorative patterns kolam drawn on floor and sugarcane. The rice with, milk were boiled to mark the ushering in of good fortune, good luck for achieving good marks in the public examinations and praying God for  quality education for the school pupils of SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School. The students prayed to the Almighty for a good harvest and prevalence of happiness, peace and prosperity. After Pongal rituals are over, the cooked Pongal was served to the entire participants and this is not only prayer but also inter religious faith harmony.-Govin