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

Helicopter Services to Sabarimala

Helicopiter Services can be had for the pilgrims from Nedumbassery airport in Kochi to Perinad located at about  50 kilometers from Sabarimala.  Regular copter services are being planned by the Chipsan Aviation Limited ( CAL ), a delhi based company for the Sabarimala Pilgrims.  The Complany CAL is planning to use AS350 BIII helicopters  and the necessary clearances have been obtained from the Director General of the Civil Aviation Mr Sunil Narayanan, Director of  CAL said . 

 A 6 seater helicopter will be used as Heli Taxi to fly pilgrims from Kochi airport at Nedumbassery to Perinad.  From Perinad a luxury cab will be arranged by the company to take the pilgrims  to Pampa. The company will also make arrangements for the Kettumurukku / Irumudikettu at the Pampa. 

Tariff  rates 

 The company CAL will charge Rs 12000 per person  for a single trip  and Rs 22000 per person for a round trip.  This will be during the mandalam and the makara vilakku season. 

For the other regular 5 day period every month, they have another package. This includes helicopter travel, accommodation, transport facility in a Palanquin type carriage  / Doli,  from pampa to the holy Temple. The cost of the package will be Rs 30000 per person. 

Ananthapura Lake Temple in Kumbala / Kumble

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Kerala Tour Destinations 

Nalambalam Pilgrimage in Kerala

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Sri Dharma Sastha temple at Thrikunnapuzha, Alleppey / Alappuzha

Sri Dharma Sastha temple is located in the karthigapally Taluk of the Alleppey district. This is one of the ancient temples found in the state of zkerala. There are are writings in and around the temple area to tell us of the visits of people from other countries.It is believed that Dharmasastha reigns the village and the areas which surrounds it.  It is also said that the Giod is very benevolent and just bestows his blessings to his devotees. This Dharma Sastha temple is also known as Padinjara Pathinettampadi.

History of the Sri Dharma Sastha temple at Thrikunnapuzha, Alleppey / Alappuzha
As per the archaeologists the idol inside the temple is about 5000 years old. It is also said that there was another temple just a furlong away from the present one. That temple was consecrated by Lord Parasurama and was known as  Paliam Sasanam. Paliam sasanam had become the symbol of Kerala Architecture and crafts.
Lord Parasurama after killing many kshatriyas to avenge his father's death, came to thrikunnapuzha, created a temple with Dharmasastha along with his wife and son.
Then he did pooja to appease his ancestors called as Pithru Pooja.  Even now the Pithru Pooja is done  and Bali Pindam offered, to enable the departed souls get moksha. This offering of the Bali Pindam is done in the month of Karkidakam of the Malayalam Calender and is consiodered to be a very important event.
In the great flood which happened after sometime, most of the entire village was swept off. The idols were recovered and kept in a temporary shelter till King Mahindran, the son of the Emperor Ashoka  came and set up a new place and started worshipping the God. Since Emperor Ashoka and his dynasty are known Budhhists, the temple also started to follow the rites and rituals as well as the shape of a Budhhist temple.
This temple was also known as Sreemoolapadam lokanadhan. The records also say that Chandragupta, in the 4th century, on his way to Ceylon visited Sreemoolavasam. The Paliyam Thamra Sasanam written by Chandragupta Varaguna in the 9th century mentions the temple.

Poojas and Rituals at the Sri Dharma Sastha Temple at Thrikunnapuzha
Kalakabhishekam (adorning of the idol with sandalwood paste), Appam (favourite food to the deity), Mahaganapathy Homam (bonefire homage to Ganapathy), Bhagavathy Seva (propitiation to Ganapathy), Archana, Panchamrutham (ritual offering of sweet mix made of 5 types of fruits and sweet ingredients) and Dhara (pouring of milk or ghee on the image of the deity) are the rituals.
There is a 10 day annual festival in the month of Vrischigam ( October / November) for which we can see many devotees come from all over.

Contact Details of the Sri Dharma Sastha temple at Thrikunnapuzha 
Sree Dharmasastha Temple
Thrikunnappuzha P.O.
Alappuzha,
Kerala - 690515
Tel: 0479-2482150
Email: info@sreedharmasastha.org

Accommodations in the district of Alappuzha / Alleppey in Kerala