Attukal Pongala Festival in Kerala

About Attukal Pongala

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is situated in Attukal 2km away from Trivandrum city, Trivandrum District kerala.The Pongala Mahotsavam is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The offering of Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamilnadu. It is a ten-day programme commencing on the Karthika star of the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (February-March) and closing with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night.It is a ten-day-long event which commences from the Bharani day (Karthika star) of the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (February-March) and comes to an end with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night. Ninth day is the biggest day of the festival when the famous Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam takes place. Lakhs of women from Kerala and other parts of the country participate in this festival. The spirit of unity is an important feature of this festival. Though it is held in the temple premises, it extends to about 5 kms radius, to accommodate the large number of women devotees who come here to prepare and offer pongal to the goddess. The women do this for the well being of their husband and children.Only women are allowed to participate in this ritual. Right from the previous night, thousands of women, regardless of caste, creed and colour assemble at the temple premises and on either side of the roads leading to the shrine to make the Pongala offering. Devotees from across the country and even from abroad participate in the ritual.The ceremony is exclusively confined to women folk and the enormous crowd, which gathers in Thiruvananthapuram on this auspicious day is reminiscent of the Kumbhamela Festival of North India.

‘Pongala’ means to boil over. It refers to the customary offering of things which please the deity. It consists of porridge of rice, sweet brown molasses, coconut gratings, nuts and raisins. The ritual of cooking starts early in the morning and by noon, Pongala would be ready. Then the Melsanthi (chief priest) arrives with Devi’s sword and bless the ladies by sprinkling holy water and showering flowers. The ‘blessed’ Pongala is taken back to the house by the ladies. The offering is a type of payasam (sweet Indian dessert), and is offered at the Bhagavathy temples. The payasam tastes delicious, which is one of the main delicacies of this festival, cooked with jaggery, coconut kernel, rice, and plantain fruits. Later, the idol of Devi is carried to Manacaud Sastha Temple in a colorful procession comprising of Thalapoli, Kuthiyottom, Annam, Vahanam, caparisoned elephants etc. Musical ensembles by famous artistes add to the festivities. En route onlookers greet the procession with Nirapara (a measure filled with paddy and decorated with flowers). The procession reaches back, the next morning, marking the end of the festival.From her everything that exists was born to her all things will return. All animate and inanimate are her creations and she sustains them. She has a myriad forms - loving mother, girl, lover, sister, wife and the terrible that can annihilate. It is this Shakti, the great Mother goddess known by countless names, that is worshipped by millions of her representatives on the Earth on Attukal Pongala.

Interesting things to Visit

Pozhikara Beach:

Pozhikara Beach is a nearby haunt beloved by tourists. The Karamana and Parvathy Puthanaar Rivers empty into the Arabian Sea at this spot.

Flora and Fauna:

Brilliantly colored flowers, striking in variety beauty, the dense green foliage, the natural vegetation, the exotic water birds and others flora and fauna make your tour on the Thiruvallam Backwaters an unending bag of pleasant surprises

Veli tourist Village:

The Veli Tourist Village is sandwiched between the Veli Lagoon and the Arabian Sea. The lagoon here is separated from the sea by a narrow sand bar. Facilities at the village include water sports in the lagoon and 18 acre waterfront park with a floating bridge that connects the village to the beach.

Canoe Rides:

Tourists enjoy canoe rides and capture breathtaking views of the country life on Thiruvallam backwaters tours.

Temples:

Tourists can make a visit to the famous temple dedicated to the Sri Parasurma, the mythological creator of Kerala. The temple has gained immense popularity in the last few years and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Legends say that when Parasurma threw his axe northward from Kanyakumari, a land was created where his axe fell and that particular land was named as the ‘Land of Parasurma’.

The Akulam Boat Club:

Its just 8 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram is another famed tourist attraction. The club provides boating cruises on the nearby Akulam Lake. A bat ride from here to the Karamana River will cost approximately . It also houses an amusement park and a swimming pool for children. Tourists often visit this Club to picnic with friends and family.

Kanakakunnu Palace:

The Kanakakunnu Palace is sited adjacent to the Napier Museum in Trivandrum. The Kanakakunnu Palace was built during the rule of the Travancore King. Royal banquets viewed the palace as the main venue. Later Sree Chithira Tirunal altered the palace and built tennis courts inside the palace premises.

Napier museum:

The Napier museum is located in the capital city of Kerala at Trivandrum. The architecture of the museum building is amazing. The best time to visit this museum is in the months of October to march.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Pothencode Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Vizhinjam Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Nedumangad Police Station
Nedumangad
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Mangalapuram Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Nearest Hospital:

KIMS Hospital
Trivandrum, Kerala
Tel: 0471 2447575.

Chaithanya Eye Hospital
Kesavadasapuram, Trivandrum
Kerala 695004
Tel: 0471 2447183.

Sree Ramakrishna Mission Hospital
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Tel: 0471 2722125.

Medical College Hospital
TrivandrumKerala-
Tel: 0471 2444270.

ROY MEDICAL CENTRE
Thycaud Hospital Road, Opp. Amritha Hotel
Trivandrum, Kerala 695014
Tel: 09387809779.

Divya Prabha Eye Hospital
Nalumukku Medical College Rd
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695011
Tel: 0471 2442050.

Location info

Address: Near Thiruvananthapuram city,Trivendrum District, Kerala, India.
District: Thiruvananthapuram district
Nearest City: Kanyakumari, Madurai, Kochi , Nedumangad and Kollam.
Best time to visit: February-March.

History of Attukal Pongala

Goddess Attukalamma is believed to be incarnation of ‘Kannaki’, the heroine of ‘Silappathikaram’ written by Tamil poet Illango in 2nd century A.D. pots of pongal cooking.jpgAttukal is the place where Kannaki took rest on her northward journey from Madurai to Kodungallur.

Things to do at Attukal Pongala

Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam is one of the best festival. Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamilnadu. Procession Is mice to see.

Tips & suggestions

You can watch whole Arattu festival in Padmanabhaswamy temple, Accomodation will provided by the temple community.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from homestays to luxury resorts. Kerala’s homestay network is excellent and offers authentic local experiences.

Climate & weather

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate with warm, humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a pleasant 22°C–30°C with low humidity and clear skies. March–May is hot and humid (up to 36°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall — the landscape transforms into lush green and this is the best time for Ayurvedic treatments. The northeast monsoon (October–November) brings shorter showers. Hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad) remain cooler year-round.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Best time to visit Attukal Pongala

Attukal Pongala takes place according to the Malayalam calendar. The best time to witness this festival is during its scheduled dates, which vary annually. Most Kerala festivals occur between November and May (the dry season). Check the official dates from Kerala Tourism before planning your visit.

How to reach Attukal Pongala

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) (approximately 0 km). Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

Timings & opening hours

Festival timings vary by event. Most temple festivals start in the morning with flag-hoisting ceremonies and continue through the evening with processions, cultural programs, and fireworks. Night processions typically start around 8:00 PM–9:00 PM and continue past midnight.

Entry fee & tickets

Most festival events are free to attend and watch. Processions and temple grounds can be accessed without charge. Special seating for fireworks viewing may cost INR 100–500. Some cultural performances during festivals may have ticketed entry.

Duration needed

Major festivals last 8–10 days. Visitors typically spend 2–3 hours per day watching key events. The main procession day requires 4–6 hours.

Safety tips

Very large crowds gather at Attukal Pongala — keep your belongings secure and watch for pickpockets. Arrive early for a good viewing position of processions. Follow the instructions of festival volunteers and police. Keep children close and establish a meeting point in case of separation. Carry water and stay hydrated. Avoid bringing large bags or valuables to crowded festival grounds.

Things to carry

Comfortable shoes for walking and standing (crowds can be very large, seating may not be available), drinking water in a reusable bottle, a hat or cap, sunscreen and umbrella for day events, a light snack, earplugs (processions can be very loud with drums and fireworks), a camera (zoom lens recommended for procession shots), a power bank, and a small bag that can be secured against pickpockets.

Nearby visiting places

Kovalam Beach, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Museum, Shanghumugham Beach, Veli Tourist Village, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, Poovar Island, Ponmudi Hill Station, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Varkala Beach

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Frequently asked questions

When does this festival take place? — Most Kerala festivals follow the Malayalam calendar (Kollavarsham). Dates vary annually — check the Kerala Tourism website or local sources for exact dates for your travel period. Is the festival free to attend? — Yes, all processions and public events are free. Special seating areas for fireworks or cultural programmes may have ticketed entry. How crowded is it? — Very crowded during major festivals. Large events like Thrissur Pooram attract hundreds of thousands of people. Arrive early, keep belongings secure, and establish meeting points. What should I wear? — Comfortable clothing suitable for standing in crowds. Modest dress is appreciated. Wear comfortable shoes.