Celebrating Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival, in Sarawak

KUCHING: The more than 100-year-old Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple here celebrated the Pongal Festival this morning with hundreds of devoted Hindus gathered at the temple as early as 7 am.

Also known as Thai Pongal, the festival is observed on the first day of the Thai month (January) in the Hindu calendar, often falling on Jan 14 or 15 each year.

At the temple here, the festivities commenced with temple priest Phuspharajan leading a special prayer, followed by the preparation of the ‘pongal’ (sweet rice). 

Hindu Temple Association Kuching president V Sahundararaju said the festival is not only celebrated by farmers but also those who consume rice.

“So, it is a universal celebration and we are happy that we are able to celebrate the occasion in a  peaceful and harmonious atmosphere,” he told reporters when met at the temple today. 

The festival, he explained, is considered a traditional and cultural celebration among the Tamil community.

“Thai Pongal is actually a harvesting festival and would normally be celebrated by farmers. But, today, the temple also celebrates it to commemorate the occasion,” he said.

A key highlight of the celebration, he said, is the cooking of rice in boiling milk using a new clay pot.

“The process begins with boiling the milk, followed by adding the rice and a mix of brown and orange sugar.

“As the dish begins to overflow out of the pot, everyone will shout ‘Pongalo Pongal’ (a slogan to bring prosperity into the household). After that, the sweet rice will be served to the deities and to be shared with devotees as well as the public,” he said.

On this special day, he said devotees would flock to the temple to seek blessings and pray for a prosperous year for themselves and their families.

“Devotees will come to the temple to pray for a fruitful and successful year for themselves and their families,” he said, adding that pecial prayers commemorating the occasion are held in the morning, afternoon, and evening at the temple.

Meanwhile, the traditions of Pongal trace back to a time when farmers gave thanks for the blessings of the sun, which play an important part in ensuring a bountiful harvest.

Traditionally, the festival is dedicated to Lord Surya Bhagavan (Hindun Sun God) and to commemorate the first harvest offering to Lord Surya.

Typically observed over four days, Pongal would start with the Bhogi Pongal, Thai Pongal, Maattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal.

All four days of Pongal have their own significance as separate deities are worshipped each day.

CAPTIONS:

KCH-pongal festival-1501-nj-1  & 2: V Sahundararaju (2nd right) puts the rice in the clay pot containing the boiling milk. Assisting him is Phuspharajan (right).

KCH-pongal festival-1501-nj-3: Hindu devotees pour the milk into the clay pot to prepare the ‘pongal’ (sweet rice).