The festival of Pongal is celebrated with zeal and fervor by the Tamilians in
India as well as in any part of the world they reside. As this harvest festival
is considered very auspicious, even the Tamils living abroad celebrate this
festival with the wish of prosperity as well as for keeping their cultural ties
with their native place alive. It is interesting to note that not only the
elderly or middle aged section of the Tamil population but also the even younger
generations of Tamils living abroad participate in this harvest festival with
equal zeal. Through this celebration, they maintain and nurture the cultural
distinctiveness despite being in an alien land. Occasions like Pongal also help
in bonding of the Tamil community living in other parts of the world.
With the presence of Tamil population all over the world, Pongal has become a
globally celebrated festival. Tamilians are spread over fifty countries of the
world. Countries like Mauritius, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, Malaysia,
Sri Lanka, Indonesia Thailand and Britain have a large chunk of Tamil
population. For the Tamilians living outside their native land, this celebration
is of immense importance as it means connecting to their own roots and culture.
Read on to explore more about the celebrations of Pongal around the world.
Pongal Celebrations Around The World
Pongal in South East Asia
Pongal due to the Indian connection is celebrated with high regards in various
countries of South East Asia where there is a sizeable Tamil population. In
countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar, the festival of
Pongal is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated on a national scale.
There are umpteen numbers of Hindu temples are spread over in these small and
diverse immigrant countries. Very much like their Indian counterparts, Tamils in
the other parts of South Asia celebrate a four day long festival. The festival
begins with the morning ritual of cooking rice in new pots. Offering vegetables,
sugar cane and spices to Gods is also popular at these places. Dance and Music
specially meant for Pongal are a vital part of the celebrations here.
Pongal in Africa
In Africa, the Pongal celebrations are most visible in the Mauritius. There are
about 250 temples in Mauritius and Pongal is celebrated on a national level as
it is declared public holiday in the country. About 120,000 Tamils celebrate
this festival in Mauritius. Here, the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam and
Navasakthi Vinayagar temple have acted as vital forces in reuniting the Tamil
community. Even, in South Africa, the Pongal celebrations are aesthetic and
traditional.
Pongal In Oceania
Even in the countries like Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Pongal is celebrated by
the existing Tamil community with zeal and fervor. Though, the celebrations are
not very traditional as their Indian counterparts, the efforts to relate to
their cultural ties are indeed praiseworthy on these alien lands. The festival
is celebrated here in the existing temple and is organized by the local official
Tamil committees and organizations.
Pongal in the Gulf
In the Gulf counties like Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the
Pongal celebrations are basically organized for creating fondness amongst the
Hindu people living over there. In Oman and Dubai, the celebrations have reached
a praiseworthy level. The recent migrations of Tamils in these places have given
boost up to the existing Pongal celebrations of the place.
Pongal in Europe
Pongal celebrations in Europe are visible in countries like Britain, France,
Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Denmark. In Britain and France, Hindu temples
organize the Pongal celebration for the Tamil community. Generally, like other
foreign countries, Pongal here is more of a community festival in order to
create a sense of relation in the existing Tamil Diaspora. |
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