Nagarathars, the local business community, settled in various parts of the world, congregated on Tuesday at Nattarasankottai and celebrated the traditional ‘Sevvai Pongal’, and offered worship at the local temple amid pomp and gaiety as foreign tourists watched in awe.
Following the century-old-tradition, a total of 911 families, most of them settled in foreign countries, converged in the village and celebrated the annual festival, organised on the first Tuesday of Tamil month ‘Thai’.
After offering worship at the 18th century Kannathal Temple, famously known as Kannudaya Nayagi Amman Temple, they celebrated the festival by cooking Pongal, the rice delicacy in front of the temple and offered the same to the Goddess.
ADVERTISEMENT
As they meet once in a year, they also use the occasion to interact with relatives and even finalise marriage proposals. The festival was initially organised to invoke the blessings of the Goddess for the prosperity of the village. The honour of getting the first slot for cooking Pongal in the specially marked arena near the temple was given to a Nagarathar family by draw of lots.
As per the age old tradition, the family, which got the first slot, after a special puja at the temple, cooked Pongal in a mud pot followed by others. Nagarathars, dressed in their best, cooked pongal in three rows near the temple. About 30 tourists from the UK, US, France, Belgium and Italy who were on annual vacation witnessed the celebration.
District tourism officer J. Jayakumar brought the foreign tourists in decorated bullock carts to the festival venue and showcased varieties of cultural events, including folk dances and Bharata Natyam.
ADVERTISEMENT
They were also taken around the heritage house at Nattarasankottai, which opens only during the Pongal festival. Collector J. Jayakanthan welcomed the tourists and presented shawls to them. He distributed certificates and mementos to the folk and cultural troupes.