Attukal Pongala 2016

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one of the ancient temples of South India, is popularly described as Sabarimala of the Women, as women form the major portion of devotees is located at Attukal. The Goddess in the temple of Attukal is worshipped as the Supreme Mother, creator of all living beings and the mighty preserver as well as destroyer of them all. The pilgrims from all over the country, who visit Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple and worship the Lord, do not consider their visits complete without the visit to the shrine of the supreme Mother Attukalamma.

Attukal Pongala 2016 festival begins on 15th February 2016 and concludes on 24th February 2016. The world famous Attukal Pongala is on 23rd February 2016, Tuesday.

Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam is a 10 days festival, which falls on February - March every year (The month of Makaram – Kumbham on Malayalam calendar). The festival begins on the Karthika star with the traditional Kappukettu and Kudiyiruthu ceremony, the idol of Devi, is embellished with Kappu (Bangles). The 9th day of the festival is the major attraction, The Attukal Pongala and Procession of the Goddess. The festival will conclude with the Kuruthitharpanam at 10th day night.

Attukal Pongala is not only celebrated in Thiruvananthapuram, the whole world is awaiting for the holy ceremony and every woman will pray to the Devi to bless them to be a part of it. The festival entered the Guinness Book of World Records is the largest annual gathering of women in the world in a single place on a single day irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

Pongala (literally means to boil over) is a ritualistic offering of a sweet dish consisting of rice porridge, sweet brown molasses, coconut gratings, nuts and raisins. Devotees offer pongala to appease the presiding deity of the temple - the Goddess - popularly known as Attukal Amma.

Only women are allowed to participate in the Pongala ritual. Right from the night before the Pongala day, thousands of women, regardless of religious faith, assemble at the temple premises and on either side of the roads leading to the shrine, to make the Pongala offering. Devotees from across the country and even from abroad participate in the ritual.

Highlights of this Festival :

15^th Feb - 10.30 Am - Kappu Kettu & Kudiyiruthu

17^th Feb - 08.30 Am - Beginning of the penance for the boys who participate in the Kuthiyottam offering

23^rd Feb - 10.00 Am - Lighting of the Pongala Hearths.

                         01.30 Pm - Sanctification of Pongala

                         07.20 Pm - Kuthiyottam Chooralkuthu

                         11.00 Pm - The Procession of the Goddess.

24^th Feb - 09.45 Pm - Kappu Azhippu & Kudiyilakkal

                          01.00 Am - Kuruthi Tharppanam