Thousands Gather to Honor Goddess Kannagi at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
Thiruvananthapuram, March 7 – In a vibrant display of devotion and celebration, thousands of women devotees flocked to the Attukal Bhagavathy temple today to participate in the grandeur of Attukal Pongala. The ninth day of this annual 10-day women-centric festival witnessed a remarkable gathering of enthusiastic participants, creating an atmosphere of joy and spiritual fervor. The city of Thiruvananthapuram came alive with festivities as 300 priests were appointed for the sacred sanctification ceremony, which commenced at precisely 2.30 pm.
Amidst the anticipation and excitement, the day commenced at 10.30 am when a sea of women across Thiruvananthapuram illuminated their hearths with the sacred fire of the ‘Pandara Aduppu’ at the Attukal Bhagavathy temple. This revered tradition symbolizes the auspicious beginning of the annual Attukal Pongala ritual, infusing the air with devotion and reverence.
Notably, this year’s event witnessed a significant upsurge in participation due to the lifting of Covid-related restrictions, allowing lakhs of women from Kerala and various other locations to partake in this extraordinary ceremony. Recognized as one of the largest gatherings of women in the world, Attukal Pongala serves as a momentous occasion where women unite to celebrate the divine presence of the Goddess at the Attukal Bhagavathy temple. Throughout the city, brick hearths were meticulously arranged, forming a tapestry of devotion along the roads and around the temple, as women prepared the sacred pongala—a delectable mixture of rice, jaggery, scraped coconut, and cardamom—in metal or earthen pots atop these hearths.
With a rich historical significance, this annual women’s festival is often referred to as the ‘Women’s Sabarimala.’ In fact, the festival etched its name in the prestigious Guinness Book of Records in 2009, when an astounding 25 lakh women participated in Attukal Pongala on a single day, a testament to the grandeur and scale of this event.
The Attukal Bhagavathy temple serves as the sacred abode for the festivities of Attukal Pongala, where the worshipped deity is Kannagi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The tale of Kannagi is familiar to many through the Tamil epic poem, Silappathikaram (the Epic of the Anklet by Ilango). Legend has it that after her husband, Kovalan, was wrongly accused and sentenced to death by the Madurai king for allegedly stealing the queen’s anklet, Kannagi proved his innocence. Following this injustice, Kannagi embarked on a journey to the Kodungalloor temple, making a stop at Attukal, where she is believed to have assumed her incarnation as Attukalamma—the presiding deity of the temple.
Attukal Pongala is not just a festival; it is a profound reflection of devotion, tradition, and the collective spirit of women. As the flames of the hearths illuminate the cityscape, women from diverse backgrounds come together, reaffirming their faith and celebrating the divine feminine. Attukal Pongala continues to captivate hearts and inspire countless souls, preserving the essence of cultural heritage and unity.
Fact: In recent years, the number of participants in Attukal Pongala has been steadily growing, with an estimated 30%
