Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Procession



Attukal Devi arrives at the Sastha Temple Manacaud, in procession

Back home



Women returning home after Pongala

After Pongala



Women wait for the scared springling after Pongala

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Lighting the fire


Lighting the fire


Pongala pots ready!

Waiting for the auspicious moment


Monday, March 9, 2009

Pongala photos




Scenes from Attukal temple premise
Women have started flowing to the Attukal Temple premises from the dawn today. Every nook and corner around the temple are filled with women who have come from distant places to offer pongala to Attukal Devi. The celebration has begun

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Theruvilakku 2

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Theruvilakku procession



Theruvilakku is an offering given to Attukal Devi. Theruvilakku looks like a decorated temple like structure. They are taken on the head by men and dance according to the percussion (usually meyyandimelam) that accompany. Theruvilakku processions that start usually at night end at the Attukal temple.

Kudiyiruthu ceremony video

Attukal Pongala Festival begins


Thousands of devotees thronged the Attukal Devi Temple to witness the Kudiyiruthu ceremony, which marks the beginning of the Attukal Pongala festival; the ceremony was held at 9.30 PM. As men began singing the Thottampattu, at the panthal made in front of the temple, women hailed the divinity with kurava in the traditional way. The festival will end with the famous Attukal Pongala on March 10.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

City grooming up for Attukal Pongala

Trivandrum city is grooming up for the Attukal Pongala. Huge arches were being erected across the main roads welcoming the devotees and also annoucing the Pongala. Many of them were erected either by the business houses or by voluntary organisations. Huge hoardings welcoming the devotees can be seen in most of the junctions in the vicinity of Attukal Devi temple. Today the first batch of potters arrived in the city from Tamil Nadu, with their hand made earthern pots. Pongala is traditionally made in earthern pots, which also register a good business during Pongala season.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Trivandrum city celebrating Shivratri


Attukal Amma
Trivandrum city is reverberating with chants and matras of Lord Shiva; and people are gathering in every temple premise to celebrate the Shivratri with whole hearted devotion. The main temples of Lord Shiva like the Sreekanteswaram temple, Kazhakkoottam Mahadevar temple, Kanthalloor Shiva temple etc. were crowded right from yesterday. In fact the arrival of Shivratri amidst the longing of Pongala has created a divine atmosphere in the city.