KUALA LUMPUR — On January 14, the Tamil community in Malaysia will celebrate Pongal, a vibrant four-day harvest festival that marks the start of the Thai month in the Tamil calendar and the Sun's northward movement. This festival, which coincides with the harvest season in Tamil Nadu, India, signifies new beginnings and opportunities.

The celebration begins on the eve of Pongal with the Bhogi festival, traditionally a bonfire to discard old items, though this is not widely practiced in Malaysia. Instead, the Melaka Chetti community honors their ancestors with a special feast, featuring dishes like nasi lemak, sambal belacan, and fried mutton on banana leaves.

Pongal Day itself involves cooking rice with milk and jaggery in a claypot, often decorated with turmeric plants and sugarcanes. When the rice overflows, participants shout "Pongalo Pongal," symbolizing the welcoming of prosperity. This sweet dish, called sarkarai pongal, is offered to the Sun God, marking the first day as Surya Pongal.

The second day, Maatu Pongal, is dedicated to honoring cows and bulls, revered for their role in agriculture. Animals are bathed, decorated with garlands, and fed a special feast, especially at temples with cowsheds, like the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple in Kuala Lumpur.

The final day, Kaanum Pongal, is a time for family reunions and celebrations. In Malaysia, however, only Surya Pongal and Maatu Pongal are commonly observed, offering a sweet start to the new year.