Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Attukal Pongala is the most important festival of the Attukal Bhagavathy temple located in the village Attukal in the city of Thiruvananthapuram of the state of Kerala. The festival falls in the month of Kumbham masam that is in February - March every year.. It starts with the Karthika star and ends with Pooram star which falls on the full moon day of the month.

The ten day festival begins with the rendering of the story of Kannaki the heroine of the tamil epic Silappadikaraam by Ilango adigal. The story invokes the presence of Kodungallor Bhagavathy and the slaying of the Pandyan king is continued for all the nine days. The Pongala festival is commemorates the victory of Good over Evil.

Thousands of hearths are lighted from one hearth laid at the front part of the temple and the offering of pangala for the Goddess is prepared. On the 9th day of the festival it would seem that all the roads in the city of thiruvananthapuram leads to Attukal temple. For about an area of 5 kilometers radius around the temple all the houses irrespective of caste creed or religion becomes a ground for observing pongala. Only women are allowed inside the area and this is also known as Sabarimala for women.

At a fixed time the temple priests sprinkle holy water on the Pongala Kalams and showering of flowers from a helicopter over the area, to honour the glory of the Deity. The calls of Amme Saranam, Devi saranam, Lakshmi saranam, Bhadre Saranam, gets filled in the air.

Kuthiyottam is performed by the boys under 13 years and Thalappoli by the girls. The boys represent the wounded soldiers of the Devi Mahishasura Mardhini. On the tird day the boys are given prasadam by the priest and they perform 7 day penence by performing strict diet restrictions, staying in the temple etc. Besides these, the boys have to undergo such disciplines like prostrating 1008 times before the deity.

On the tenth day, after the procession, rendering of devotional songs takes place which is followed by the ceremonial removal of the "Kappu". The ten day festival comes to an end with the sacrificial offering known as 'Kuruthi Tharpanam' at night.

For more details about the temple andother vazhipadu contact
Secretary
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust
P.B. No. 5805, Manacaud P.O.,
Thiruvananthapuram - 695 009, Kerala
Tel : 0471 - 2463130 (Off)
0471 2456456 (Temple)
Fax : 0471 - 2456457
Email: attukal@vsnl.com