‘Mattu Pongal' Celebration In Heart Of The City

By C. Vinoothene

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- A small cow pen located on the premises of the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple in Sentul here was a hive of activity today as worshippers gathered there to celebrate Mattu Pongal, which is observed by the Tamil community on the second day of the three-day Pongal festival.

Mattu Pongal is observed, particularly by cattle farmers, as a gesture of gratitude and appreciation for cows (mattu) for their contributions to daily life.

While it is usually celebrated in rural areas, the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple has made it an annual tradition to observe the festival every year.

According to the temple committee treasurer/secretary Meyyappan Manickam, the Mattu Ponggal tradition has been passed down for generations and has been celebrated at the temple for over 30 years.

“In the past, cows played a vital role in our lives. This celebration is our way of showing our appreciation to them.

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“We (the temple organisers) have preserved this tradition for nearly 30 to 40 years to ensure it remains alive,” he told Bernama today.

Before the start of today’s ceremony, the temple’s nine cows were bathed and adorned with red markings and sandalwood powder.

Following this, the priests made the necessary preparations to conduct prayers and boil milk in a clay pot in front of the cattle pen. More than 50 people participated in the ceremony.

Once the milk began to boil, the cows were adorned with garlands and draped with a dhoti or saree as a gesture of love and respect.

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Later, visitors were given an opportunity to feed the cows with fruits and pongal, a sweet dish made of rice, sugar, milk and ghee.

Although the Mattu Ponggal celebration in Malaysia is not as grand as in India, visitors were grateful to witness this tradition in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

One of them Neelaveni VM Venugopal from Setapak said this was her first time witnessing the Mattu Ponggal celebration at the temple.

“I feel so fortunate. I believe this is a calling from God. It’s my first time coming here to receive blessings,” she said.

Meanwhile, Shalini Devi Krishnan, 30, brought her own pongal to feed the cows.

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“We came here to feed the cows. I’ve never experienced such a lively Mattu Pongal celebration in the city,” she said.

Meyyappan said the temple plays a crucial role in ensuring Mattu Ponggal is celebrated yearly and the tradition is passed down to future generations.

“I believe the temple can continue organising this unique celebration as we have the space and workforce to sustain it.

“When interest in this tradition is nurtured, I’m confident it will continue to be embraced by all generations,” he added.

-- BERNAMA