A Thai Pongal celebration was held at the District Secretariat today (29) under the patronage of Kegalle District Agent/District Secretary Ranjana Jayasinghe to celebrate Thai Pongal, which marks the dawn of a new year according to the Hindu calendar.

The Thai Pongal festival was celebrated this morning by wearing kolam patterns, preparing special Pongal rice, and performing poojas to seek divine blessings. All the staff of the District Secretariat also had the opportunity to enjoy the Pongal rice.

The Thai Pongal festival, which brings purity, gratitude, prosperity, happiness and harmony, has been a very festive celebration for the Tamil Hindu people since time immemorial. Thai Pongal, which means the harvest festival, is held every year in January.

Kegalle District Administrator Ranjana Jayasinghe expressed his best wishes for a prosperous Thai Pongal festival for all, while the Elder Promotion Officer, Mrs. Dilani Kumari, informed the office officials about the value and essence of the Thai Pongal festival.

This time, the deva pooja was performed by Brahma Sri Balamani Kurukkal of the Warakapola Sri Bhadrakali Hanuman Devalaya.

The festival was enriched with dances and songs presented by the students of Abanpitiya Tamil Primary School and the officials of the Kegalle District Secretariat.

The program, which was jointly organized by the officials of the District Secretariat, was fully sponsored by the Vanni Hope NGO.

Kegalle Additional District Secretary (Administration) Kusum Bandara, Additional District Secretary (Lands) Dilip Nishantha, Assistant District Malsha L. Piyadarshani, Planning Director A.A. Weerakoon and many other members of the District Secretariat staff participated in this event.