Attukal Pongala 2026 | Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trivandrum

അറ്റുകാൽ പൊങ്കൽ 2026 അറ്റുകാൽ ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം തിരുവനന്തപുരം| Attukal Pongala 2026 Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trivandrum

Attukal Pongala is one of the most iconic and grand festivals celebrated in Kerala, dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. This annual festival holds a unique place in the cultural and spiritual landscape of Kerala as it is predominantly celebrated by women devotees who come together in large numbers to participate in the sacred ritual of offering Pongala a sweet rice based dish cooked as a devotional offering to the goddess. The festival is known for its sheer scale with millions of women gathering along streets, roads and open spaces around the temple, turning the city into a vibrant sea of devotion.

The ritual begins with the ceremonial lighting of the temple hearth which signifies the start of Pongala. Devotees prepare the Pongala offering using rice, jaggery, coconut, and other traditional ingredients, cooking it in earthen pots on makeshift hearths arranged along the roads and courtyards near the temple. The act of cooking and offering Pongala is considered a highly sacred act believed to bring prosperity, blessings and protection from evil to the devotees and their families. Apart from the main offering, the festival also features traditional cultural programs, devotional songs and processions that enhance the spiritual ambiance of the event. Women from different parts of Kerala and even abroad gather to participate making it one of the largest gatherings of women for a religious purpose anywhere in the world. The festival is not only a religious event but also a celebration of female devotion, unity and community spirit.Pilgrims and visitors often describe the experience as deeply spiritual and visually mesmerizing, witnessing thousands of women cooking in unison as a mark of their devotion. The festival culminates with the goddess’s blessings and the conclusion of the Pongala offering leaving a lasting impression of faith, tradition, and cultural richness. Attukal Pongala continues to inspire devotion and stands as a symbol of Kerala’s rich heritage and spiritual fervor.

EVENTS/PROGRAMS
• Kodiyettam
• Pongala Offering
• Devotional Songs and Bhajans
• Aarattu

Temple Location

📍 Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Attukal, Souparnika Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695009.

Accessibility

🏙️ Nearest Town / Landmark / Junction: Attukal, Souparnika Nagar – 500 M
🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Thiruvananthapuram Central Bus Stand – 2 km
🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station – 3 km
✈️ Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport – 6 km