Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram to witness largest gathering of women in world for “Attukal Pongala”

In Kerala, the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram, is about to witness one of the largest gathering of women in the world today, for the “Attukal Pongala”.  The ritual had made it to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2009 for being the largest religious gathering of women on a single day when 2.5 million took part in it. More from our correspondent;

“Attukal temple is also called the “women’s Sabarimala”. Lakhs of Women prepares the Pongala to appease their favorite deity, the Attukal Bhagavathy for the peace and prosperity of their family. In ‘Pongala’, devotees prepare a mix of rice, jaggery and scrapped coconut in pots in makeshift brick stoves.

As large number of devotees reach the capital city, the authorities have made elaborate arrangements including traffic restrictions, security and health facilities along with strict adherence to green protocol.

Every year the nearby churches, temples, and mosques, facilitate the ritual equally making Attukal Pongala  not only a cherished tradition but also a testament of unity, faith, and collective devotion. Mayusha for Akashvani News From Thiruvananthapuram.”