GEORGE TOWN, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- A parade featuring 21 bullock carts was the highlight of the MADANI Ponggal and Cultural Festival held today in the Batu Uban State Assembly area here.
The two-kilometre parade from Taman Brown to the Gelugor State Youth and Sports Complex evoked nostalgic memories for over 2,000 visitors from various ethnic backgrounds.
Organised by the Batu Uban State Assembly Service Centre, it drew attention to the historical importance of bullock carts in agriculture, especially during rice harvesting.
Although Ponggal is a traditional harvest festival celebrated by the Indian community, Malay and Chinese visitors also joined in, showcasing the harmony and unity of Malaysia's diverse society.
Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan said Ponggal was not a religious festival, as commonly misunderstood, but a cultural celebration marked annually on Jan 14 or 15 by the Indian community.
Earlier, Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, and other Penang State Government leaders graced the event, held from 2 to 10 pm.
At the event, the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) recognised Penang for creating the largest wooden replica ponggal pot, standing 17 feet tall. Kumaresan said the pot, made of wood and adorned with 200 kg of fresh flowers, took three days to complete.
Agencies, such as TEKUN Nasional and the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA), also held exhibitions to share information, offer services, and promote initiatives to the public.
Meanwhile, veteran actor and comedian Sathiya, 61, was honoured with the "Sathiya Icon" certificate and received contributions of RM10,000 from the Governor's Charity Foundation and RM5,000 from the State Assemblyman's office.
Ponggal is a harvest festival celebrated by the Indian community worldwide, including Malaysia. It is held on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial