Kerala witnesses largest women gatherings for Attukal Pongala

In Kerala, Attukal Pongala, an annual festival in Trivandrum,is a celebration of devotion and a powerful affirmation of womanhood, strength, and unity. Known as one of the largest gatherings of women, the festival brings together thousands of women to offer prayers to Attukal Bhagavathy, an incarnation of Maa Shakti. This sacred occasion, filled with rich traditions and spiritual fervour, continues to be a symbol of empowerment and collective strength.The ritual made it to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2009 for being the largest religious gathering of women on a single day when over 2.5 million took part in it. Attukal temple is also known as the “women’s Sabarimala”. Lakhs of Women prepare the Pongala to appease their favourite deity. Women, dressed in traditional attire, gather within an 8-km radius around the Mandir, transforming the city into a spiritual hub.Attukal Bhagavathy is often depicted as an incarnation of Kannagi, a mythical figure who fought for justice and was a symbol of women’s endurance and dignity. In this context, Attukal Pongala becomes a collective prayer for justice, empowerment, and well-being for all women. In ‘pongala’, devotees prepare a mix of rice, jaggery and scrapped coconut in pots in makeshift brick stoves. Attukal pongala is not only a cherished tradition but also a testament to unity, faith, and collective devotion as every year the nearby churches, temples and mosques facilitate the ritual equally. A large number of devotees reached Trivandrum on Thursday, March, 13,2025, authorities have made elaborate arrangements including traffic restrictions, security and health facilities along with strict adherence to green protocol. Railways are also running special trains on the occasion.It coincides with the Pooram Nakshatram and Poornima in the Malayalam month of Kumbham, which marks the full moon of February or March.