Millions of women offer 'Pongala' to Aattukal Devi

The rituals began around 1015 hrs. The Chief Priest of the temple lit fire to the makeshift stove brought from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The fire, the priest lits, is then passed on to the stoves of women who line up on either side of the roads.

After this, the devotees, dressed in brand new clothes and carrying cooking implements, across the city lit their hearths to prepare various offerings. Only women are allowed to participate in the Pongala ritual.

More than 30 lakh women flocked to a 10-km radius of the Attukal temple in the city to offer 'Pongala' to appease the presiding deity of the temple.
Nearly 350 priests have been assigned to complete the ritual of offering Pongala. About 3,800 police personnel have been deputed in and around the temple to ensure the smooth conduct of the Pongala.

The police had taken many steps for crowd management and security of devotees. Fire Force, Health Department, City Corporation, other Government agencies and voluntary agencies have offered help for the smooth conduct of the festival.

In view of the festival, the railway operated special trains for the convenience of devotees. A special train was operated from Kollam to Trivandrum this morning. It will return to Kollam from here sy 1400 hrs. Another special train will leave Trivandrum at 1530 hrs towards Kollam Jn.

Image: Wikimedia Commons