This year why we are celebrating Thai Pongal on 15th Jan?
Shri Shiva Vishnu temple is celebrating Thai Pongal on Saturday 15 January 2022. This date was advised by Shri V. Ragunathaiyar author of Vakya Panchangam published in Jaffna Sri Lanka. This Panchangam is published for the last 164 years and well recognised by priests and scholars. He has advised the same date to the temples in Brisbane, Auckland, and Wellington. The whole agenda on our temple calendar is prepared on his advice.
Thai Pongal is celebrated by Tamils all over the world, on the first day of the month of Thai, offering Pongal (sweet rice) to Sun God. Other Hindu communities celebrate Makara Sankranthi on the same day. Month of Thai dawns when Sun transit from Sagittarius (Dahanu) to Capricorn (Makara).
Noting the difference between the dates in the same Panchangam Hindu Society of Victoria sought explanation from Shri Ragunathaiyar. He explained that considering the latitude of Melbourne, the transition from Dahanu to Makara takes place on 14th January, after sunset. Therefore, Thai Pongal must be performed in the following morning.
From the inception Hindu Society of Victoria follows expert advice in managing the affairs of the temple. Unfortunately, some mischievous elements are propagating slanderous comments via the social media. They did not bother to seek explanation from HSV before going online. We trust this explanation will eliminate any confusion.
HSV Management Committee