Thalai Pongal sees newly married Hindu couples taking part in harvest rituals to express gratitude for nature, the Sun God and farm animals.
GEORGETOWN: Pongal is celebrated all over the world as a four-day harvest festival, with each day having its own distinct rituals and significance to express gratitude to the Sun God (Surya), mother nature and farm animals for a bountiful harvest.
The festival, centred around cooking and offering a sweet rice dish called Pongal, marks the beginning of the auspicious Thai month in the Hindu calendar and symbolises new beginnings, community unity and the joy of abundance.
Penang Hindu Association (PHA) president Datuk P. Murugiah said the term Thalai Pongal is a significant cultural celebration for a newly married bride, marking her first Pongal festival at her husband’s home, with her family bringing special gifts.
A feast is prepared to welcome the new family member and strengthen bonds.
“In conjunction with this tradition, PHA, in collaboration with the Rokkumalai Sri Muniswara Bathrakaliamman Temple in Air Itam, took the initiative to organise for the first time the Thalai Pongal event at the temple for couples matchmade through the Suyamvaram programme.
He said four couples attended the ceremony, namely Mr and Mrs Sughanth Sarathy, Mr and Mrs Jaggen, Mr and Mrs Loganathan as well as Mr and Mrs Anandaraj, who proudly introduced their son Kuhanraj.
“PHA views the four couples as part of our family members and the Thalai Pongal ceremony was conducted with full traditions by the temple priest for the invited couples.”
Murugiah said to date, the programme has successfully matchmade 10 couples.
He added that PHA is promoting the Suyamvaram programme to Malaysian Hindus seeking their ideal life partners.
For more information, contact Dr Ponnei at 017-503 5397 or Mr S.K. Ganesan at 013-421 1193.
