Attukal Pongala - Kerala's Famous Women's Festival

The ritualistic Attukal Pongala is dedicated to Goddess Attukalamma or Goddess Bhadrakali (Kannaki), the chief deity of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, often referred to as the Sabarimala for Women. This festival holds the distinction of being the largest annual gathering of women in the world, as recognized by the Guinness World Records. The ceremony was first acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records on February 23, 1997, when 1.5 million women participated in Pongala. In 2009, a new Guinness World Record was set with 2.5 million attendees.

Pongala, meaning 'to boil over', is a ritual where women prepare sweet payasam, a pudding made from rice, jaggery, coconut, and plantains, and offer it to the Goddess Attukalamma. Despite the scorching heat, thousands of women gather around the Attukal temple to make offerings of Pongala. The ritual begins with 'Aduppuvettu', the lighting of the Pongala hearth (called Pandarayaduppu) inside the temple by the chief priest. After the Pongala is prepared, the chief priest blesses the women by sprinkling holy water and showering flowers while carrying Devi's sword. The blessed Pongala is then distributed among the devotees as Prasadam. Devotees believe that Attukal Amma will be present at Attukal during the Pongala festival to bless them.

Specialty of Festival:

The Attukal Pongala is considered the largest congregation of women for a festival in the world.

Month of Festival:

Attukal Pongala is often celebrated on the Bharani day of the Malayalam month of Makaram or Kumbham which usually falls between February and March.