Pongal: A Celebration of Mannan Deities

Among the various cultural celebrations of the Mannan community, Pongal stands out as a significant and spiritually rooted annual festival. While Kalaayoottu is perhaps more well-known, Pongal carries its own weight in ritual, symbolism, and community spirit. Deeply tied to the land, the gods, and the lineage of clans, the festival serves as a religious observance, reaffirming the identity and unity within the Mannan society.

Mannan community memebers gathered at Chinnar for the celebration of Pongal

Sacred Offerings to the 42 Adiyan, 35 Sub-clans

The essence of Pongal for the Mannan people lies in their unique reverence for regional deities spread across the 42 different hamlets, referred to as 42 adiyan within the Mannan community. Each of these deities corresponds to specific territories and is supported by 35 family sub-clans (sub-castes) within the Mannan population. The Pongal rituals are thus not generic, but highly localized and deeply personal—each family and region pays homage to its respective deity through offerings and prayers.

These ceremonies take place at designated temples spread across the settlement. The date of Pongal is thoughtfully chosen by community elders in consultation with the families entrusted with temple responsibilities.

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The Eve of Pongal: Preparation and Koothu

On the eve of the festival, community members come together at their local deity's temple. The day is spent in preparation — cleaning the temple premises, setting up sacred spaces, and symbolically inviting the presence of the deity to the location.

As the sun sets, the atmosphere transforms with the performance of Mannan Koothu—a traditional performance blending dance, drama, and storytelling. It is believed that the gods are present at the venue during this time, and to honour them, the MannanKooth is held throughout the night. The celebratory performance is generally referred to as Aattupattu Visheshangal in the Mannan language. 

Mannankooth performance on the eve of Pongal festival at Chinnar

Raman Rajamannan, current King of the Mannan community, arriving to the venue of Pongal on the eve of the festival

Rituals of Pongal Day: Kooshaduka and Thadi Kuthuka

Early in the morning, as the Mannan Koothu performance comes to an end, the designated priest in charge of the temple gets ready and prepares the pongal pot. Prasadam and payasam are prepared for the rituals to be followed.

The main rituals of Pongal unfold the next morning in a sacred ceremony known as Kooshaduka, conducted for the welfare and prosperity of each family sub-clan in the community. Central to this ritual is an act called Thadi Kuthuka, where leaves from the Koova plant are arranged to represent each of the 42 Adiyan and their associated clan deities. On each leaf, Pongal Payasam—a sweet rice dish cooked in Pongal pots—is offered as sacred food.

Leading the ceremony is the Rajamannan, the current King of the Mannan community, who chants invocations to each clan deity in the Mannan tongue. He is joined by other respected community leaders such as the Pullavasi, Vaathi, and Kaanikkar, all of whom help in facilitating the ceremony.  

Raman Rajamannan (at centre), King of the Mannan community, performing Kooshaduka, alongside with community leaders Kunjuvaathi Rajamani Pandyan (left) and Kaani Thankappan Ramman (right)

Mura and the Spirit of Joy

As the Kooshadal ceremony concludes, a distinctive ritual grounded in the Mannan’s Mura system takes place. This system outlines the traditional inter-family duties and privileges. Within the Mannan social fabric, interdependent families are assigned roles and responsibilities, supporting each other, with this system of Mura. These families are designated to perform symbolic acts, such as sprinkling water on others as a sign of blessing and reaffirmation of mutual ties.

For instance, during the prayers offered for the Oorukaran sub-clan, members of the Rajakkadan Ailavan clan carry out the water-sprinkling ritual. Though steeped in tradition, this is a celebratory conclusion to the festival, brimming with laughter, affection, and a festive spirit.

People concluding the Pongal ritual by sprinkilng water on to each other according to their family mura system

Conclusion: A Return and a Promise

With rituals completed and Prasadam and Payasam distributed among the gathered community, the Pongal celebrations gradually draw to a close. Families begin their journey back to their respective hamlets with a renewed sense of belonging and continuity. The departure is accompanied by a promise—to meet again next year under the same traditions and with the same collective spirit.