Pongal Festival
Penang has one of the best places to experience Pongal festival. It is at the
Sri Veera Kaliamman Devasthanam Temple. The temple is located in Gelugor,
Penang.
The temple has been the focal point of Pongal festival in Malaysia since 1975.
Another place to go is the Sri Mahamariamman Temple on Queen Street in George
Town. This is the oldest Hindu Temple in Malaysia.
The word pongal in Tamil means “to boil” or to “to boil over”. The timing of the
festival is to coincide with the harvest for rice and other cereals, sugar-cane,
and turmeric (an essential ingredient in Tamil cooking).
This begins the traditional month for large expensive family celebrations like
weddings. The Pongal Festival continues to be an important part of Malaysian
Indian culture. It keeps them connected to their South Indian roots and
traditions.
In Hindu temples bells, drums, clarinets and conch shells sound out to mark the
joyous festivities of Pongal. Sweet rice is cooked with fresh milk in new clay
pots until they boil over. This symbolizes an abundant harvest and prosperity.
Some of the rituals performed in the temple include the preparation of rice, the
chanting of prayers and the offering of vegetables, sugar cane and spices to the
gods.
The Pongal Festival is a time for Tamil families to get together, time for
reunions. Old grudges have to be forgiven and forgotten. Reconciliation is
supposed to rule the day. Love and Peace are the central themes of Pongal.
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