More than 900 Nagarathars from various parts of the world descended on Nattarasankottai in Sivaganga district for ‘Sevvai Pongal’ festival organised on Tuesday.
It is said to be a mega get-together of the Nagarathar community members who live on different continents. Even people who cannot not make it to their native places for grand festivals like Pongal and Deepavali do not miss Sevvai Pongal, held on the first Tuesday after Pongal. Nagarathar community people had been celebrating this festival for over two centuries, the people in the village said.
They made pongal at Sri Kannudiya Nayagi Amman Temple. “Every married man is considered a unit (pulli) of the community. One among the names of the community members was chosen through a draw of lots. The family chosen as the first family would get a special slot in front of the temple to make the pongal in an earthen pot,” they added.
As a custom, even when one was a vegetarian he would have to make a goat sacrifice to the temple.
A total of 916 families made the pongal and offered their prayers at the temple along with some 200 families from other communities. Special cultural events were also organised on the occasion.
Published - January 21, 2025 09:25 pm IST
