Among the all ancient temples of South India, Attukal Bhagavathy (Attukal Devi) Temple, a small temple in the city of Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) has a very special position. Also known as 'the Sabarimala of Women', this temple attracts the biggest throng of women devotees for the annual Attukal Pongala festival. This temple and its main festival also reached Guinness Book of World Records, when 1.5 million women offered Pongala in Feb 23, 1997. It is estimated that about 2.5 million women offered Pongala in 2008. The number of women devotees reaching this place increases every year.
Attukal temple is the abode of the goddess, who is the supreme preserver and destroyer. She cares her devotees like a mother does her children. For the devotees, Attukal Devi (Attukal Amma) is supreme power, capable of delivering all the wishes of her devotees. Several women devotees testify the supreme power of this shrine, and tell you how Attukal Devi has blessed them with progeny and wishes of bountiful life.
Devotees from all parts of India come and bow before the all powerful goddess, seeking an end to their afflictions and to receive blessings. The temple is just 2Km from the main city center of Trivandrum and is located at a rural-looking area, although the surroundings are highly urbanized.
Attukal Pongala (Attukal Ponkala) is the most reputed festival of this temple. 'Pongala' means to boil over, and it refers to the customary offering of things to the lord Devi. Devotees from all walks of life, irrespective of their social status, religion and cast, throng the temple to offer the 'pongala'- a sweet rice, prepared in earthen pots with rice, jaggery and coconut, to the Goddess. Only women are allowed to participate in this custom.
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Pongala festival has found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest attendance of women on February 23, 1997. 1.5 million women had participated in that year's Pongala.Festivals & Programs
Attukal Pongala (Attukal Ponkala) is the most reputed festival of this temple, which attracts devotees from all parts of India. Tens of hundreds of women devotees throng together on the day of Pongala with their offerings to the Goddess and to seek blessings. The festival commences on Karthika day of Malayalam month Makaram-Kumbham (Feb-March).
