NIBONG TEBAL: D. Reguraj, a fifth-generation clay pot maker, is a busy man these days.

The demand for traditional clay pots has increased dramatically this year for Ponggal, the harvest festival celebrated by Hindus which falls on Jan 15.

Reguraj and his wife R. Thulasi have to make sure they have enough supply to meet the demand from the community and temples for brand new earthen pots to boil cow’s milk and prepare the sweet rice delicacy for the auspicious celebration.

Reguraj belongs to the “Devaraj Pottery” family which has been operating the traditional pottery business for the past 121 years.

Thulasi, 45, said her family, assisted by 15 workers, prepared 50,000 clay pots this year to be distributed to suppliers, retailers and customers who come to the factory.

“Every year, the demand for the pots is growing because the Indian community is encouraged to use new pots each year to cook the sweet rice.

“It is symbolic of a new beginning, ” she said.

This year, Thulasi said they are offering four types of pots of different sizes and colours that are being sold at between RM3 and RM35.

“The smallest pot is RM3 and can cook as much as one cup of rice.

“We also take special orders for custom-made pots, especially for temples. Devotees will cook in large quantities at the temples, ” she said.

She said they could make as many as 1,500 clay pots in a week depending on weather conditions.

The mother of two said the entire process of making a clay pot takes about a week including grinding the clay specially brought from Ipoh with sand and flour and then shaping it according to the size of the pots. It would then go through the drying, burning and colouring process.

Since 2018, they had stopped using firewood and instead use gas to “bake” the pots as it is more environmentally-friendly, she said.

Ponggal, which is celebrated over three days, starts on the first day of the month of “Thai” in the Tamil calendar.

It is a celebration to mark a bountiful harvest and ushered in with the hope for a better year ahead.

The first day’s highlight is boiling the milk and rice in a new clay pot and ensuring that it spills over the pot to signify abundance.

The second day, known as “Mattu Ponggal, ” focuses on cows and bulls which are considered sacred by the Hindus. On this day, these animals are bathed, decorated with garlands and their horns are painted.

“Kanni Ponggal, ” which is on the third day, is dedicated to unmarried women who dress up in fine clothes and gold ornaments, and offer prayers in the hope of getting a good husband. — Bernama