Thousands of Women Take Part in Attukal Pongala Festival in Kerala’s Capital

Thiruvananthapuram: Tens of thousands of women devotees, crossing caste and creed, offered Pongala to Attukal Amma in the Kerala capital on Tuesday.

Attukal Pongala is the most important ritual at Attukal Temple and is often referred to as the ‘Women’s Sabarimala’. The ceremony began with the lighting of Pandara Adupu, the main hearth in the temple premises used to prepare Pongala (prasadam). This hearth was illuminated by a lamp brought from the holy temple in the presence of the temple tantri Thekkadath Parameswaran Vasudevan Bhattathiripad and was lit by the acolyte at 9:45 am.

Thousands of women set up Pongala stoves within a 12 km radius of the temple and prepared offerings like rice, ghee, bananas, jaggery and coconuts for Devi.

The High Priest blessed Pongala at 2:45 pm by sprinkling holy water and blessing the devotees, who then offered Pongala. The Attukal Pongala festival takes place on the ninth day of the 10-day annual celebration at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, dedicated to Kannaki, the hero of the Tamil epic *Silappadikaram* of Ilangovadikal.

According to legend, Kannaki cursed the city of Madurai and its kings for killing her husband. He stopped at Attukal on his return after destroying Madurai and believers say that Pongala was offered to honor his victory over the kings of Madurai. Since Monday night, thousands of women have filled the capital, occupying almost all the main roads leading to the temple. As the day heats up, every corner of the city is filled with Pongala pits as devotees seek shade to escape the scorching sun.

Festival showcases social harmony

The festival highlighted the state’s rich tradition of social harmony, with mosques and churches welcoming female devotees. The call of Thiruvananthapuram’s prominent Palayam Mosque Vice President Suhaib Maulavi, urging mosques and Muslim families to open their doors to Hindu devotees, went viral on social media. While the mosque committees in Palayam and Manacaud provide facilities such as refreshment areas, refreshments, drinking water and rest areas to devotees, St. St. Joseph’s Cathedral also offered rest areas, water and refreshments.

Hundreds of voluntary organizations, including residents’ associations, offered free food and water to thousands of devotees. Some even arranged free special trips for those returning home after Pongala. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Indian Railways ensured smooth running of transport by running special services and adding extra stops. Attukal Pongala entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest women’s gathering in 2009, with over 2.5 million attendees.