Four-day Pongal festival kicks off at Kuching’s Sri Srinivasagar Temple

KUCHING (Jan 14): Preparations are underway at the Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple along Jalan Ban Hock as the Hindu community begins the four-day Pongal harvest festival, starting with Bhogi celebrations today.

Temple priest Phuspharajan said Pongal is a thanksgiving festival dedicated to farmers, nature, and the sun, observed through prayers, traditional cooking, and community gatherings.

“Today is known as Bhogi, the first day of the Pongal festival, which symbolises the clearing away of old and negative elements.

“Traditionally, families burn old household items before sunrise as a way of welcoming the new year with positive thoughts and fresh beginnings,” he said when met at the temple.

Preparations for the main Pongal celebration, known as Thai Pongal, will begin tonight. This includes decorating the temple with sugarcane and mango leaves, setting up a traditional brick stove, and cleaning the premises.

On the main day of Pongal, temple prayers will start at 6.30am on Thursday, followed by the Pongal prayer with Ganapati Puja at 7am.

“In our Indian culture, every auspicious activity begins with Ganapati Puja.

“Ganapati is regarded as the first God, and we seek his blessings before starting any important event so that it may be successful,” he said.

The cooking of Pongal, also called sweet rice, will follow. The dish is prepared with rice, milk, jaggery made from sugarcane, ghee, cashew nuts, and raisins.

“We will first serve the pongal and pray to the Sun God (Surya) as a thanksgiving ritual, acknowledging the Sun’s vital role in agriculture and daily life,” he said.

The festival continues on the third day, known as Mattu Pongal, which honours cattle for their contribution to farming, and concludes with Kanni Pongal on the fourth day — a day dedicated to women, particularly unmarried women, who participate in prayers and rituals seeking blessings.

Although some traditions, such as Mattu Pongal, are adapted locally due to practical limitations, Phuspharajan stressed that the celebration remains inclusive.

“The festival is open to everyone, regardless of race or religion.

“Anyone is welcome to come, join the prayers and enjoy the sweet rice,” he added.