Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Introduction

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple at Attukal, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is one of the most famous Devi temples in South India. It is known the world over for Attukal Pongala – an offering made by an enormous gathering of women, often described as one of the largest gatherings of women anywhere in the world. Because of the special devotion of women to the Mother here, the temple is affectionately called the "Sabarimala of Women".

The Goddess – Attukal Amma

The presiding deity is Attukal Bhagavathy, lovingly known as Attukal Amma. She is revered as a form of the Divine Mother and is traditionally identified with Kannaki, the heroine of the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, who is honoured as a symbol of chastity, courage and justice. Devotees see her as a loving mother who protects her children and grants their wishes.

Sthala Puranam (Legend)

According to tradition, after Kannaki's husband Kovalan was wrongly executed in Madurai, she proved his innocence before the Pandya king and, in her righteous anger, the city of Madurai was consumed by fire. On her way to Kodungallur, she came to Attukal. There she appeared as a young girl to an elder of the local Mullaveettil family at the bank of the Killi river and asked to be helped across. He took her home with great respect, but she vanished. That night she appeared to him in a dream and asked that a shrine be built for her at a place marked by three lines in the grove. The shrine raised there grew into the Attukal temple of today.

Attukal Pongala

The temple's great festival lasts ten days and is held in the Malayalam month of Makaram–Kumbham, with the Pongala falling on the day of the Pooram star in Kumbham (around February–March).

• On Pongala day, lakhs of women gather in and around the temple and along the streets of Thiruvananthapuram for many kilometres.
• Each devotee prepares pongala – a sweet offering of rice, jaggery and coconut – in a new earthen pot on a small fire built in the open.
• The ritual begins when the sacred fire is lit from the temple hearth and passed on from hearth to hearth across the city.
• In the afternoon, priests sprinkle holy water on the offerings, and the women return home with the blessed pongala.

Attukal Pongala has been recognised by Guinness World Records as one of the largest gatherings of women for a religious activity. The whole city takes part in welcoming the devotees, with volunteers offering water and food along the streets. The festival also includes the Kuthiyottam ritual for boys and the Thalappoli procession for girls.

Temple Timings

• The temple is generally open in the morning and again in the evening, with a break in the afternoon.
• Arrangements change completely during the Pongala festival. Please check the temple's official website before your visit.

How to Reach

By Road: Attukal is about 2 km from East Fort in central Thiruvananthapuram. City buses, autos and taxis are easily available.

By Train: Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station is about 2 km away.

By Air: the nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), about 7 km away.

Visitor Information

• Dress code: traditional Kerala dress is recommended – men usually wear a mundu, and women a saree, set-mundu or churidar.
• Pongala day: the city is extremely crowded and many roads are closed to traffic; women taking part usually arrive the previous day to find a place for their hearth.
• Best time to visit: any time of the year for a peaceful darshan; the Pongala festival for the extraordinary experience of the city in devotion.
• Nearby places: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Padma Theertham, the Puthe Maliga Palace Museum, Shankhumukham beach and Kovalam.