Thiruvananthapuram: The highly anticipated Attukal Pongala festival is set to take place on Thursday, with preparations in full swing across the capital city of Kerala. As lakhs of devotees gather for the occasion, arrangements have been completed for the Pongala offering, which is expected to be a major highlight. A steady flow of devotees has been observed at the temple and surrounding areas since Wednesday morning.

Fire will be lit at the ‘Pandara Aduppu’ in front of the temple at 10.15 am on Thursday, marking the beginning of the proceedings. The Pongala offering is scheduled for 1.15 pm, followed by the ‘Kuthi Yotta’ for devotees at 7.45 pm, with 582 boys participating in this year’s Kuthi Yotta. At 11.15 pm, the goddess will be taken to the Manakkad Shastakshetra, where she will return to the temple on Friday morning. The festival will conclude with the Kuruthi offering at 1 pm.

In addition to the preparations made by various government departments, numerous organisations are contributing to the smooth conduct of the Pongala celebrations.

Devotees prepare for the auspicious time of Pongala

Devotees have been preparing for the auspicious time of Pongala by meditating on Attukalamma, the goddess who is believed to bestow blessings. Women from other districts have arrived in large numbers in the capital to make their offerings. After the midday puja at the temple on Wednesday, the temple gates remained open until after 3 pm, with devotees waiting in the outer walkway for their turn to have darshan. Temple trust officials confirmed that arrangements were made for everyone to have an opportunity for darshan.

As usual, the entire city became a Pongala venue on Wednesday, with devotees from neighbouring districts arriving early to set up their stone stoves. The temple grounds were filled with the sound of devotional songs from the Pongala mandapams set up by various organisations.

Though a light drizzle in the morning raised concerns, the rain held off, with Attukalamma's blessings and the devotees’ prayers ensuring good weather for the event. Autorickshaws and commercial establishments provided services to devotees without any profit motive. Local residence associations and other devotee groups made arrangements to provide food and water, ensuring that all visitors were well taken care of. Courtyards were opened for devotees, where they engaged in meditation until the early hours of Thursday.

What is Pongala all about?

Pongala is a revered annual festival held at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, dedicated to the goddess Attukalamma. The festival is celebrated primarily by women, who prepare a special offering, also called "Pongala," consisting of rice, jaggery, coconut, and other ingredients, cooked in open pots as an offering to the goddess. The preparation of the Pongala offering is an act of devotion and is believed to bring blessings of prosperity, health, and happiness.

The festival has a rich tradition and is one of the largest gatherings of women in the world. Women devotees from various parts of Kerala and even from other states gather around the temple and nearby areas to cook their offerings, while chanting hymns and prayers to the goddess. The festival culminates with the lighting of the fire at the "Pandara Aduppu," the temple hearth, marking the official start of the Pongala offering time. It is a deeply spiritual occasion, where devotion and faith are central, and is celebrated with immense fervor and enthusiasm.

4,511 policemen to provide security for devotees

A total of 4,511 policemen have been deployed to provide security to devotees during Attukal Pongala. The police force will be divided into two phases, with 3,815 personnel, including four SPs, 21 DySPs, 48 CIs, 10 women CIs, 143 sub-inspectors, and 2,387 civil police officers, deployed on Pongala day.

The security arrangements will be overseen by the City Police Commissioner with the assistance of two DCPs. Parking facilities have been arranged at several locations, including Tagore Theatre, Vellayambalam Jimmy George Stadium, Sangeetha College, Kerala University, PTC Ground, and others. Special police control rooms, along with two additional control rooms, will also be established. Only men with special passes will be allowed into the temple on Pongala day. Ambulances and fire engines will be stationed at different locations, ready for any emergencies. In addition, 32 pickets, five bike patrols, and 14 foot patrols have been arranged, with a medical team also on standby.

Special train services for Attukal Pongala

Thiruvananthapuram: Special train services will be operated on Pongala day to accommodate the large number of devotees. Trains heading to Nagercoil will depart from platform number one, while those going to Kollam will depart from platforms two, three, four, and five of Thampanoor railway station. The entrance gate on Powerhouse Road will also be opened for public access. Additional train services will be operated from Ernakulam Junction to Thiruvananthapuram Central and from Thiruvananthapuram to Nagercoil.

In addition, 31 trains will make extra stops, including the Vande Bharat, which will stop at Thiruvananthapuram North, and the Jan Shatabdi Express, which will stop at Thiruvananthapuram Pettah.

KSRTC to operate 300 bus services

Thiruvananthapuram: To facilitate the large influx of devotees, KSRTC will operate 300 buses in connection with Attukal Pongala. Services will cover a wide range of routes across the city and surrounding areas.

Departure points and routes include:

  • From PRS to Karamana-Pappanamcode, Ooruttambalam-Kattakkada, Kanjiramkulam-Poovar, Nagercoil, Neyyattinkara.
  • Paruthikuzhy, Aryankuzhi, Kamleshwaram Road-Vizhinjam, Poovar, Kaliyikkavilai.
  • Fort High School Ground-Petta, Kannammoola, Keshavadasapuram.
  • Kizhakkottama Bus Stand-Vattiyoorkavu, Peroorkada, Nedumangad.
  • Thiruvananthapuram Central, Bakery Junction, Vazhuthakkad, Left side of Panavila Road-National Highway, MC Road, and long-distance services to Kilimanoor, Attingal, Nedumangad, Kattakkada, and Nagercoil.

Additional services will also be provided from various points like Maruthurkkadavu-Pappanamcode and Vazhapally Road to Attakulangarava-Kannammoola, among other routes.