Thaippongal is held to honor the Sun, for a bountiful harvest.
Families gather to rejoice and share their joy and their harvests with others on the first day of the Tamil month “Thai”.
The Sun is offered a "Pongal" of sweet rice and milk. This is a Tamil equivalent of Thanksgiving. This traditional festival is celebrated by volunteers preparing a Pongal in front of the Temple regardless of the Edmonton winter weather and the Priest will perform an Arthi to the Sun once the sweet Pongal is prepared.