GEORGE TOWN: The tradition of drawing a kolam on an evenly spread bed of dried cow dung in front of a house or temple during religious festivals or on auspicious days is a practice that is fading away with time.
However, committee members of Veeramuthu Sree Maha Mariamman Temple here have been steadfastly continuing this ritual for Ponggal annually since the temple was established 12 years ago.Temple committee chairman M. Karthi, 45, said on the eve of Ponggal this year, cow dung was mixed with water and turmeric into a thick consistency and evenly spread across the temple entrance.
Throughout ancient times, dried cow dung was a valuable resource in countries like India and Africa. It was widely used in agriculture, construction, culture and as a fuel source in areas where firewood was scarce. For the kolam, dyed and shredded coconut flakes were used to draw the designs. As for the ponggal milk rice, Karthi said the pot to cook the sweet ponggal is first placed on a traditional firewood stove which sits on the dried layer of cow dung spread over several red bricks.
The vegetables are then mixed with lentils, rice and some spices in a pot before it is cooked and served.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jade Emperor's birthday celebration at Chew Jetty resumes after two yearsGEORGE TOWN: After two years of muted affair, the Thnee Kong Seh’s (Jade Emperor) birthday celebration at Chew Jetty in George Town will resume this year.
Read more »
Luxuriously meaty: Head to Seremban’s ‘pasar besar’ for the town’s famous beef noodlesSEREMBAN, Jan 14 — Growing up I did not eat much beef. Partly because of the cost, I am sure, but also due to an indeterminate avoidance of any meat that was not chicken breast....
Read more »
Fined for discarding waste in Ranau town binRANAU: The Ranau District Council (MDR) has compound an individual RM100 found throwing and piling private rubbish in the bins in the town area, Friday.
Read more »
Penang Chief Minister's Chinese New Year Open House back this yearGEORGE TOWN: The annual Chief Minister’s Chinese New Year open house is back this year, says Chow Kon Yeow.
Read more »
This was where one of the world's worst nuclear disasters took placeThe prefecture hopes to welcome international tourists again now that radiation levels are low.
Read more »