Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam
The historic Attukal Pongala falls on 25th February this year. Pongala is usually prepared in earthen pots. There is a belief behind this.
The Goddess-fondly referred to as ‘Attukalamma’ is said to be appeased by preparing Pongala in earthen pots.
Use of earthen pot is very important in many Hindu rituals. It is believed that when ‘Pancha Bhutas’ – earth, air, water, sky and fire comes together it forms the ‘Divine Existence’. Hence during Pongala, earthen pots are used which symbolizes Earth of the Pancha Bhutas. And the person who put Pongala in earthen pot is believed to get the blessings of the Divine Existence.
Similarly, Attukal temple darshan before offering Pongala to the Goddess is another belief among the devotees. It is to seek the permission of Attukal Amma to perform the ritual.
Pongala, which means ‘to boil over’, is the ritual in which women prepare sweet payasam (a pudding made from rice, jaggery, coconut and banana cooked together) and offer it to the Goddess or ‘Bhagavathy’. Other than Pongala, the women also prepare other sweet dishes like Pal Payasam (Kheer made with milk and rice), Mandaputtu, Terali (Kumpilappam) etc..
Pongala boiling over the pots is considered very auspicious; it indicates prosperity. If it flows over the pot towards the east, it is believed that the desired things will happen soon.
The Attukal Pongala held in Attukal Temple, Thiruvananthapuram is the largest congregation of women for a festival in the world. The ritual can only be performed by women and the streets of the city are known to be packed with faithful devotees during the time of the festival. The entire Thiruvananthapuram city lights up in festive fervour and the number of devotees has been increasing over the years. For being the largest congregation of women in the world, Attukal Pongala, has found a place in the Guinness World Book of Records.