Distribution of gifts, pongal, and cultural programmes marked the Pongal celebrations at Thai Anbu Illam, an orphanage located at Yercaud foothills, here on Monday.
At a programme organised by the Salem Historical Society, pongal was prepared in earthen pot amid singing of traditional songs.
It was distributed to 35 girl students of the home.
The society president, Emmanuel J. Jayasingh; general secretary, J. Barnabas; Bharatiya Tamil Ilakkiya Mandram president Arangasamy; and executive director of Mahendra Group of Institutions, R. Samson Ravindran spoke.
V. Gunasekaran performed a magic show for the children. Cultural programmes were also held.
Monokasi Viswanathan and Sumathi, who run the home, were present.
Society members thanked the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, who wished Tamil people on the occasion of Pongal in Tamil.
They hailed him for recognising January as Tamil Heritage Month in Canada.