'Thai pongal' festival at the Tamil Maha Vidyalayam, Puwakpitiya, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The welcome at the entrance to the festival grounds

A ceremonial enclosure made with plantain trunks.

Decorative figures 'Kolam' is drawn around the fire-place using powdered rice.

'Thai Pongal' is the celebration of  harvest of rice in the month of January - 'Thai'. The first harvest of paddy is pounded, winnowed and cooked ceremonially adding jaggerry, cadju nuts ertc. Once cooked the 'Pongal' is shared among friends and relatives.