Pongal the Tamil harvest festival was celebrated in the Ashram. Ashramites gathered in front of the Kali Temple before the sunrise to prepare Pongal as an offering to the Sun God. The facade of the temple was decorated with flowers, sugarcanes and different mandala designs on the floor, proclaiming the celebration of Pongal. Everyone wished each other a happy Pongal and reflected on the deep spiritual principles underpinning the tradition of cooking payasam and allowing it to boil over on this special day. Amma always says that Creator and Creation are not two, but one – the divine exists in and through all of creation. Mattu Pongal reminds us of this truth and provides an opportunity for human beings to express their gratitude to Mother Nature for all her generous gifts to us.
