Fast, Fair and Festivals of India Fast, Fair and Festivals of India
AATTUKAL PONGALA
Celebrated In : Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Centre of Activity : Attukal Bhagavathi Temple
In the month of : February/March
Speciality : Exclusive Festival for Women
The Aattukal Bhagavathi Temple dedicated to the Goddess Bhagavathi is situated in Thiruvananthapuram city. Pongala, an exclusive festival for women, falling in February/ March, is the speciality of this temple.
The name 'Pongala' means 'to boil over' and refers to the ritualistic offering of porridge made of rice, sweet brown molasses, coconut gratings, nuts and raisins.

Only women devotees are allowed to participate in this ritual. Right from the previous night, thousands of women devotees start assembling in the temple premises and on either sides of the roads leading to the shrine.
Pongala