Festivals begin

 The procession of Mutharamman Devi reaching Sastha Temple, Manacaud

The processions of deities of temples around the capital city announce that the festival season has commenced, it virtually dips the city dwellers in the holy waters of devotion. The major processions that adorn the streets of  Thiruvananthapuram in the coming days are processions from Attukal, Kochiravila, Mukkolakkal, Aryankuzhi and Pazhanchira temples, all of them have Goddess Bhadrakali as diety.

Spiritual bliss of pilgrimage

Pilgrims at the Attukal temple premises

 The motive of every pilgrimage is to seek blessings from the almighty, the pilgrims progress rests on the strength of his/her dedication and devotion. Offerings and rituals are inevitable parts of pilgrimage, which take the pilgrim close to the divine power. Pongala is a holy union of panchabhootha that links the ethereal to the mundane in a simple ritual form, it makes you free from the rigorous discipline of thapas , that's why millions take part in it, particularly women.

A great social gathering

  Attuukal Pongala is a month away, but the air of sublime dedication looms large in the air. People far and near have begun to talk about the grand ritual; women have already started preparations, collecting the dried coconut leaves and sizing fire wood, buying pongala sarees and even reserving their places at their friends' or relatives' houses near the Attukal temple. Usually women prefer houses where they have put up during the previous festival, you could find many homes around the temple where people from far away places gather  for decades. Attukal pongala is also a great social gathering that strengthen relationships, where love and trust are the sublime denominators.

Pilgrimage point

 Sabarimala pilgrims having their breakfast during their halt at Attukal temple premises

 Attukal temple premises have become a halt point for the pilgrims to Sabarimala who come to Trivandrum to visit Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple. In fact it serves as a pilgrim spot that connects and transpires the divine glory of  three important shrines of Kerala. 

Its Pongala time

Come to Attukal Temple, and the air would greet you with the smell of festival, the temple and the capital city are grooming up for the greatest religious gathering of women on earth. And in your mind you could really feel the divine blessings of the mother Goddess. Its Pongala time.

Temple grooms up for Attukal Pongala 2013

Banner announcing Attukal Pongala 2013 at the nadapandal of the Attukal temple

 www.attukalpongala.blogspot.com begins updations for Attukal Pongala 2013.