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 :
15th
Feb - 10.30 Am -
Kappu Kettu & Kudiyiruthu
17th
Feb - 08.30 Am -
Beginning of the penance for the boys who participate in the Kuthiyottam
offering
23rd
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.
24th
Feb - 09.45 Pm -
Kappu Azhippu & Kudiyilakkal
01.00 Am -
Kuruthi Tharppanam
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