Thiruvananthapuram: The famous Attukal Pongala officially began after the chief priest of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple lit the makeshift brick stove (Pandara Adupp) with fire brought from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. ‘Pongala Nivedyam’ will be held by 1.20 pm. The fire was passed on to the stoves of the women who are offering the pongala.

Many celebrities including Malayalam actress Chippi, Annie and Radhika Nair, wife of actor and Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi, have also set up stoves to offer their pongala. 

The pongala ritual takes place on the penultimate day of the 10-day-long Attukal festival and is done by women. Earlier, they used to sit on the road that starts from the temple and extends to all other parts of the city. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, this is not allowed this year. Devotees are directed to cook pongala at their homes.

The temple, located in the heart of the city, is dedicated to Attukal Bhagavathi, believed to be an incarnation of Kannaki, the central character of the Tamil epic 'Silappathikaaram'. 

The chief priest will offer the pongala by 1.20 pm. Attukal Temple Trust informed that priests have not been appointed to offer 'nivedyam' for the pongala prepared at homes.

This year’s festival will end by early morning on Saturday.