New Straits Times
SINGAPORE, January 19, 2004: (This appeared as a letter to the editor) I refer to your report “Churches celebrate Pongal festival” (NST, Jan 12) where church coordinator S. Vythilingam was quoted as saying “Pongal is not a religious festival but a traditional festival celebrated by the Tamils.” Pongal is celebrated on the first day of the month of Thai by offering thanksgiving to the Lord as manifested in the Sun, the source of all life-supporting energy. It is also celebrated as Makara Sankranthi, that is, the day when the world changes its six-month southern journey and starts to move north. It is celebrated by all Hindu temples all over the world. Another important religious significance is that the preceding month of Margali (mid-December to mid-January) is reserved solely for spiritual activities because we believe one year on this physical plane is equal to one day in the heavenly region. There are more than enough reasons to call Pongal a Hindu religious festival. If the churches want to celebrate, they are welcome. However, this being a Hindu festival, I would advise them to celebrate it in the month of Thai for it to be meaningful.
HPI adds: The adoption of Pongal by the Christians is part of their tactic of “inculturation,” including various aspects of the local religion in the hopes of getting Christianity to appear less foreign.