In Sri Lanka, Thai Pongal is seen as a unifying festival that fosters community bonding. Thulasi (holy basil): A sacred plant included in many Sri Lankan Pongal rituals, symbolising purity and ...

The second of the four-day Pongal festivities – known as Surya Pongal or Thai Pongal – is said to be an important day during the harvest festival. As is common to most South Indian traditions ...