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ATTUKAL PONGALA

ATTUKAL PONGALA

Attukal Pongala is considered the largest congregation of women in the world. Women all over the city cook their offerings and bring it to the Attukal temple. ‘Payasam’ – a sweet dish made with rice, jaggery and banana is an integral part of this offering.
Attukal is a Hindu pilgrimage centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one of the ancient temples of South India, is popularly known as Sabarimala of the Women. The Pongala Mahotsavam is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. This festival at Aatukal has been entered into the Guinness book of world records as the largest congregation of women in the world.The offering of Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu. It is a ten-day programme commencing on the Karthika star of the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (February–March) and closing with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night. On the ninth day of the festival the world-famous Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam takes place. The entire area of about 5 kilometre radius around temple with premises of houses of people of all caste, creed and religion, open fields, roads, commercial institutions, premises of Government offices etc. emerges as a consecrated ground for observing Pongala rituals for more than 2.5 million women devotees assembling from different parts of Kerala and outside. 
 This festival is celebrated during the month of February/ March.

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