ആറ്റുകാൽ ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ പൊങ്കാല മഹോത്സവം ഫെബ്രുവരി-മാർച്ച് (കുംഭം) മാസങ്ങളിൽ നടക്കുന്ന 10 ദിവസത്തെ വാർഷിക ഉത്സവമാണ്, അത് അപാരമായ ഭക്തിയോടും പവിത്രമായ ആചാരങ്ങളോടും കൂടി ആഘോഷിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു.
പൊങ്കാല മഹോത്സവം 2025 | ആറ്റുകാൽ ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം തിരുവനന്തപുരം | Pongala Mahotsavam 2025 | Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trivandrum
The annual festival is celebrated at the Hindu shrine thronged by an increasing number of devotees every year. Known to be the largest congregation of women in the world, the festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Kumbham to invoke and seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati or Attukal Bhagavathy, the presiding deity of the temple.
Women prepare offerings on hearths on the Pongala day to please the Goddess symbolising balance of the five elements of nature. Legend has it that the festival is
celebrated to commemorate the hospitality that the local children and people extended to the Goddess while at Attukal. There are stories that associate her to Kannagi, the central character of the famous Tamil epic 'Silapathikaram. Kannagi is said to have stopped over at Attukal for a short while after avenging the unjust death of her husband. Kannagi is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The Goddess hence epitomises power, courage and destruction of evil even as devotees look up to her as the Supreme Mother. The Attukal Pongala brings together women from all walks of life and different parts of the world The Pongala also symbolises human harmony with the five elements that form the life force the Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether.
Pongala Mahotsavam 2025 | Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trivandrum
The festival is marked by the presence of lakhs of women devotees who seek blessings of the Goddess by taking to hearths to prepare offerings on the Pongala
Day. The Attukal Pongala is the most important ritual of the festival and is an offering that coincides with the full moon. Pongala literally means 'to boil over'. Women
observe fast and cook porridges usually made out of a combination of rice, coconut, banana, jaggery, nuts and raisins in earthern pots over hearths. The hearths are lit
from the fire burnt at the hearth in the temple also known as the 'Pandara Aduppu' and also from hearths at other temples. As the offering boils over the pot, prayers for well-being are made to the Goddess. Musical renditions praising the Goddess marks the beginning of the festival. Kuthiyottam is a distinct ritual performed by boys under the age of 13 years after observing rigorous penance for 7 days. Thalapoli is a ceremonial procession towards the end of the festival by young girls who carry a plate or
'thalam' filled with rice, flowers, a lighted lamp etc. It is
believed that these girls dressed in colourful attires are
blessed by the Goddess with happiness, health and
beauty and attract prosperity to the community at large.
EVENTS/PROGRAMS
• Kappukettu
• Kudiyiruthu
• Kuthiyottam
• Pongala
• Kuruthi Tharpanam
• Kappu Azhippu
• Kudiyilakkal
• Thalapoli
• Music and Dance Events
Temple Location
📍 Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Post Box No. 5805, Manacaud P.O, Thiruvananthapuram-695009
Accessibility
🏙️ Nearest Town/ Landmark/ Junction: Attukal Temple Junction - 200 m
🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Central Bus Station, Thampanoor - 3 Km Bus Station, East Fort - 2 Km
🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Trivandrum Central Railway Station - 3 Km
✈️ Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport - 8 Km
Contact
📞 +91 471 2463 130 Office
+91 471 2456 456 Temple
📧 attukal@vsnl.com
