Mr Right has to wait

Timeless tradition: (From left) K. Kohila, Mishanthini, Tasha, Priya, S. Primilaa and M. Laavanya celebrating the last day of Ponggal at Sri Raja Mariamman Temple in Johor Baru.

JOHOR BARU: Unmarried women usually pray for good husbands on Kanni Ponggal, the last day of the three-day Ponggal celebrations.

But for three young women here, meeting Mr Right is not the top priority at the moment.

Student V. Tasha, 23, said that during Kanni Ponggal, single women would usually pray for a good life and a husband who would care for them.

“I want to focus on my studies and get a job before thinking of marriage,” she said.

Pharmacist R. Priya, 25, said the celebration was more than finding an ideal partner for her.

“Ponggal is a time to get together as my close friends and relatives usually throng a temple and offer prayers for a better future.

“I’m praying for good fortune as well as peace and stability for Malaysia instead of a husband,” she said.

Johor Talent programme intern A. Mishantini, 27, said the Ponggal celebrations in Johor were getting bigger each year.

“The festival is celebrated by Indians all around the world but here in Malaysia, it is different as we are living in a multi-racial society.

“The celebration offers the Indian community an opportunity to showcase one of our festivals to other races,” she said.

The three women joined in the festivities with hundreds of participants at the 104-year-old Arulmigu Rajamariamman Temple in Jalan Ungku Puan here yesterday.

Ponggal is celebrated in mid-January over three days and marks the harvest of crops and a special thanksgiving to God, the Sun, Earth and cows that produce milk in abundance.