Pongal Celebrations Held with Enthusiasm at District Collectorate and Coimbatore Corporation Offices
Pongal celebrations were held at Coimbatore District Collectorate and Corporation offices, led by District Collector Pavan Kumar and Mayor K. Ranganayaki with traditional rituals, games and cultural performances.
Arunkumar Gowrishankar 
With the Pongal festival set to be celebrated on January 15, Pongal festivities were joyfully observed on Tuesday at government and private offices across Coimbatore. At the Coimbatore District Collectorate, the celebrations were held under the leadership of District Collector Pavan Kumar G. Giriyappanavar, with government officials participating in traditional Pongal rituals.
A clay pot was used to prepare Pongal in the Collectorate premises, symbolizing the traditional “Samathuva Pongal” (Pongal of equality). Wearing traditional Tamil attire of veshti and shirt, the District Collector extended Pongal wishes to all officials and actively took part in festive games such as pot-breaking (Uriyadi) and tug-of-war. He also participated in traditional activities like Jammab and Nadamaadi, adding vibrancy to the celebrations.
Meanwhile, the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation also hosted a grand Samathuva Pongal celebration at its main office. The event was inaugurated by Mayor K. Ranganayaki in the presence of Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabhakaran and Deputy Mayor R. Vetri Selvan.
The program featured colourful cultural performances by school students, including Karakattam, Silambam, Puliyattam (tiger dance), Parai drumming, Jammab and Jikkattam. Corporation officials and staff enthusiastically joined the dances, making the event lively and joyful.
Senior officials including Deputy Commissioners T. Kumaresan and A. Sultana, Town Planning Officer Rajasekaran, Corporation Education Officer Gunasekaran, and Zone Chairpersons Lakshmi Elanchelvi, Meena Logu, Kathirvel, Deivaanai Thamizhmarai, Dhanalakshmi and others were present.
