Papparaidu (partially obscured by steam) stirring ‘ponggal’ during the state-level celebration in Ampang Jaya. The sweet rice porridge boiling over represents abundance spilling over and is central to the Tamil celebration marking rice harvest in southern India. — Photos: LOW LAY PHON/The Star
Selangor has allocated RM1.5mil for celebrations related to the Indian community such as Deepavali, Ponggal and Thaipusam, says state exco member V. Papparaidu.
The Selangor human resources and poverty eradication committee chairman said such celebrations helped foster unity among Malaysians from all walks of life.
This was key to national unity, he said at the state-level Ponggal Festival 2026 held outside Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Kampung Tasek Permai, Ampang Jaya.
On the festival, he said: “The Ponggal celebration has been held at state level for the past three years and we want it to be an annual event.
“In 2024, it took place in Sungai Sedu in Kuala Langat, last year it was held in Sekinchan and this year in Ampang.
“Next year we will celebrate in Kuala Kubu Baru.
Jayanthi (second from left) taking part with a neighbour and friends.
“We want the celebration to be shared with other communities.”
He said the idea of bringing the celebration to Ampang was mooted by Teratai assemblyman Yew Jia Haur and Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad.
“We also received strong support from councillors from other areas, such as Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) councillor Mohammad Firdaus Babh, who worked hard to ensure the programme’s success,” Papparaidu said.
Syed Ahmad said Ampang Jaya’s 700,000 people was about 10% of the state’s population.
“Holding cultural events such as Ponggal brings the community together.”
Mohammad Firdaus said he was glad to host a larger-scale event in his area.
Mohan with his ‘kolam’ design.
“We always look forward to events here.”
The festival saw 105 groups participating in simultaneous cooking of ponggal (sweet rice porridge).
Participant Mohan Maruthmutu, 47, who attended with a friend, said: “I taught myself how to create kolam some years ago, and I also do it for weddings upon request.
“At this event, we were required to make a small kolam at our designated space for the ponggal cooking.
“I created a small kolam and had a lot of fun making ponggal,” Mohan said.
Meanwhile, neighbours R. Jayanthi and S. Bawani, both 52, attended the event with eight other friends and also took part in ponggal cooking.
“We usually make ponggal at home, but this time we cooked with our friends, which was a different and fun experience,” said Jayanthi.
