Media Eye News Bureau: Millions of devotees in Kerala ended their yearly wait as they offered their 'Pongala' at the famed Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in the capital city of the state Thiruvananthapuram. Devotees fondly refer to the main deity in the temple as "Attukalamma".
The offering for ‘Pongala,’ is specially made by women and is a significant practice at the temple in the southern part of Kerala and is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple as well.
‘Pongala’ involves preparing a special nivedyam made from rice, coconut, banana and ghee in the 'Pandara adupu' placed around the surroundings of the temple and as an offering to the goddess.
The preparations for the same began at 10.15 am and concluded at 2.30 pm today. The ceremony is set to be held on a full moon day. The festival will commence with a musical rendering of the story of the Goddess (Kannaki Charitam) during the “Kappukettu ceremony,” which depicts the story of Kodungallur Bhagavathy and the slaying of the Pandyan King. The song continues on all the nine days preceding ‘Ponkala.’
The event of the Goddess annihilating the Pandyan King is accompanied by the sound of the temple drums and "Vaykurava" by devotees which is followed by the lighting of the hearths for the preparation of the offering for the Goddess. This festival commemorates the victory of good over evil.
Attukal Pongala holds the Guinness record for highest number of women gathering at a place which includes the big stars from Cinema, television and all walks of life.
