Attukal Pongala: the feast for millions

Context

The famed Pongala, which is said to be the largest congregation of women in the world in connection with the annual festival at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram falls on February 27 this year.

Important facts about Attukal Pongala Festival

• Attukal Pongalais a 10-day religious festival celebrated at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram of 
• The pongala preparation starts with the ritual called 'Aduppuvettu'.
• On the ninth day, there is a huge gathering of millions of women in the temple surroundings.
• These women prepare a divine food made of rice in earthen pots and offer it to the Attukal Amma (Goddess of the Temple).
• The offering is made by valiyachennellu, native organic This variety is rich in iron content.
• This is the earliest Pongala festival in Kerala. The festival is marked as the largest annual gathering of women by the Guinness World Records.

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple 

• The Attukal Bhagavathy Templeis a Hindu religious shrine, dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali (Kannaki), the main deity of the temple. There are two idols of the Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum.
• Architecture: The temple structure is a harmonious conglomeration of both Kerala and Tamil styles of architecture.
• Sculptures:
• The beautifully carved figures of Mahishasuramarddini, Goddess Kali, Rajarajeswari, Sree Parvathy with Lord Paramasivaare depicted with other Gods.
• The corridors walls also adorn the epic stories of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu viz., the "Desavathara".
• On the southern Gopura, the puranic story of "Dakshayaga" is depicted in sculptures.