Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 23 (UNI) Nearly 30 lakh women devotees are expected to gather across a 10-kilometre radius in Kerala’s capital for the famed Attukal Pongala on March 3, turning the city into an unparalleled expanse of devotion and spiritual fervour.
Roads, courtyards, terraces and open spaces across Thiruvananthapuram will transform into makeshift hearths as women prepare the sacred offering seeking health, prosperity and family well-being.
The ritual will take place at the renowned Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, revered as the “Sabarimala of Women.” The 10-day festival begins this evening (February 23) with the traditional Kappukettu and Kudiyiruthu ceremony at 5.30 pm and will conclude on March 4.
The main Pongala ritual on March 3 will begin at 9:45 am with the ceremonial Aduppuvettu, when the chief priest lights the hearth using the sacred flame brought from the sanctum sanctorum.
The flame will then be passed from one devotee to another across thousands of hearths spread up to nearly 10 kilometres around the temple.
The sweet Pongala offering, prepared in earthen pots using rice, jaggery and coconut, will be formally offered to the Goddess at 2.15 pm following the noon pooja.
As March 3 coincides with a lunar eclipse, Darshan will not be available from 3.10 pm to 7 pm, and devotees offering Thalappoli must reach the temple premises before 1.30 pm.
As part of the festival rituals, the Kuthiyottam Vratham will commence on February 25 at 8.45 am. On the night of March 3, the ritual piercing ceremony of Kuthiyottam boys will be held at 8.30 pm, followed by the ceremonial procession of the deity at 10.45 pm.
The festival will conclude on March 4 with the Kappazhichu Kudiyirakkam at 9.45 pm and the Kuruthi Tharppanam at 12.45 am.
The District Collector has declared March 3 a local holiday for all educational institutions and government and semi-government offices in Thiruvananthapuram district.
In connection with the festival, liquor sales have been prohibited within Corporation limits and in the Vellar ward of Venganoor Grama Panchayat from 6 pm on March 2 to 6 pm on March 3.
Extensive transport arrangements have been put in place to manage the massive inflow of devotees. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will operate additional bus services from various centres, with buses lined up at designated points two hours before the offering to facilitate smooth return travel.
The Railway has announced special unreserved trains between Thiruvananthapuram, Nagercoil and Ernakulam, along with temporary additional stops, expanded ticketing facilities and strengthened security deployment. Lighting Pongala hearths within railway premises has been strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
A strict Green Protocol has been enforced by the District Suchitwa Mission, banning single-use plastics and prohibited decorative materials, with special enforcement squads intensifying inspections across the district.
The Electrical Inspectorate has also issued safety guidelines mandating that illumination works be carried out only by licensed contractors using proper ELCB/MCB protection systems and maintaining safe distance from overhead lines and transformers.
The festival has earned global recognition, finding a place in the Guinness World Records for witnessing the participation of around 25 lakh women at a single venue on a single day, transcending barriers of caste, creed and religion.
With lakhs of women devotees, including participants from across India and abroad, set to assemble in an extraordinary display of faith and unity, Attukal Pongala once again reaffirms its stature as one of the largest spiritual gatherings of women in the world.
About 30 lakh women to converge across 10-km radius in Kerala Capital for Attukal Pongala on March 3
