Seychelles Tamil Mandram celebrates KOOTU PONGAL Festival 2026 |14 February 2026

Seychelles Tamil Mandram, as part of its annual activities, celebrated KOOTU PONGAL – literally meaning “Group Cooking” – on Saturday, January 24, at the Baha'i Centre in Bel Air.

The highlight of the festival was the communal preparation of Pongal, a traditional Tamil dish made of boiled rice, jaggery, and aromatic spices, cooked in brass pots over live fire. Once prepared, the dish was offered to the Sun God as thanksgiving before being shared among all attendees.

More than 150 people joined the celebration, including distinguished guests Rohit Rathish, high commissioner of India to Seychelles; Hon. Trevor Louise, elected member of the National Assembly for Bel Air; Hon. Sathya Naidoo, elected member of the National Assembly for St Louis; Lydia Charlie, acting Mayor of Victoria alongside members of the Tamil community.

The event featured a community lunch, followed by vibrant traditional dance performances by women and lively games for children and adults, with winners receiving attractive prizes.

Pongal itself is a four-day Tamil harvest festival, celebrated primarily in Tamil Nadu, India, and across the global Tamil diaspora between January 15–18 each year. It marks the start of the auspicious Thai month and serves as a thanksgiving to the Sun, Mother Nature, and farm animals for a bountiful harvest.

Seychelles Tamil Mandram, a non-profit organisation registered in 2002, continues to promote Tamil language and culture through such initiatives. As part of the Pongal festivities, the Mandram also hosted a grand music show at the International Conference Centre (ICCS) on February 8, featuring an electrifying performance by Bachelor’s Band from Chennai, with renowned singers Aravind and Reshma, and a special DJ set by DJ Prakash.

Contributed