Maattu Pongal was celebrated on 16 Jan 2026 at Sevalaya’s Kasuva Centre near Thiruninravur,
Tiruvallur.
R Mohan, Proprietor – K G R Apparel Exports, Mahendarji Kasliwal Jain, Vastu Vid – Chennai and A Rajaraman, Proprietor – Ravi Sweets, Tiruvallur graced the occasion as Chief Guests. Shanthi Sudarsan, Social Activist from Tiruvallur also participated. The guests lit the Pongal pot at the Sevalaya gaushala that is home to 100+ dry and abandoned cows. The guests performed a pooja and fed fruits and agathikeerai to the cows in the gaushala.
R Mohan in his speech shared that he has been associated with Sevalaya for many years and said that he has been sponsoring various sports activities at Sevalaya such as Chess and Volleyball with the aim to promote rural talent. Rajaraman in his speech congratulated the good work being done by Sevalaya.
Ray Brillinger, a Management Consultant from Canada and a volunteer who has been associated with Sevalaya since 2011, who is on a visit to India was also present. He expressed his happiness in participating in the Pongal celebrations. Earlier, Sevalaya’s Founder and Managing Trustee, V Muralidharan delivered the welcome address. He explained that Sevalaya has been celebrating Pongal and Maattu Pongal for many years with various activities and sports events involving all the villages around its campus in Kasuva village.
Prizes were distributed to the winners in the rural competitions conducted in the run-up to the Pongal celebrations. The Rural Volleyball tournament saw participation from more than 400 youth from 36 villages. Trophies and medals, sponsored by R Mohan, Proprietor, K G R Apparel Exports, were given to the top 4 teams and the Soundar- the Player of the Tournament.
More than 1,000 men and women from 40 villages participated in the various competitions such as Rangoli and Musical Chair. 75 women and 25 men won sarees and dhoties as prizes in these events. These prizes were sponsored by Aramporul Foundation.
Students presented engaging cultural performances. Mementos were presented to the Chief Guests. Amarchand Jain, Executive Committee Member- Sevalaya delivered the Vote of Thanks. All the guests and participants were served a special lunch at the Sevalaya campus.
