What began as a family get-together culminated in a precious and most beautiful blessing from Devi or Bhagawathy, as we Malayalis refer to the Divine Mother. As my humblest offering to Attukal Devi, I offer this writing to Bhagawathy, with a prayer that may more and more women from all walks of life find joy and fulfilment through offering Attukal Pongala year after year. May their joy multiply!
[READ: Conversations with my Mother and Amazing Tale of Peddabottu]
The Attukal Pongala festival celebrates and honours the life of Kannaki, who is said to be a real life heroine whose tragedy is documented in the Tamil epic, Silapathikaram. The story is that an angry Kannaki's wrath upon Madurai over the merciless and unjust execution of her husband Kovalan, following which she questioned the King's court, established her husband's innocence which shamed the royalty and still angered, Kannaki is said to have cursed that the city of Madurai be scorched in flames.
Kannaki's devotion and chastity powered the curse to become an instant reality. Thereafter, Kannaki is believed to have revoked the curse when she saw the monumental losses in human lives. After withdrawing her curse, she had stopped at Attukal, where women welcomed here with a loving preparation of 'Pongala' or rice-based sweet porridge. [READ: How Do You Light Deepam At Home?]
How to Celebrate Attukal Pongala?
Setting up the brick-hearths to prepare a sweet rice based Pongala and cooking it for pleasing the Divine Mother is consiered the best way to celebrate Pongala. The Attukal Pongala rituals include setting up makeshift brick hearths on the road or street or temple and that hearth begins to function as an all-woman sacred kitchen on which women prepare rice, jaggery and coconut in earthern pots.
From personal experience, I would also add that helping women devotees to put things together is also an ideal way for men to participate and win the blessings of Attukal Devi. In our midst, there were many thoughtful men who helped by distributing water bottles, diverting vehicles away from the area, picking up litter to clear it and so on. By helping devotees to offer their Pongala without distractions, one can serve the Divine Mother as well and win her instant grace.
People believe that the wrath of Kannaki was assuaged by the loving rice-based offerings made by the women who gathered around to feed her. Battle-weary and exhausted, Kannaki became serene when she ate the preparation that was offered to her. The loving women surrounded her with their gentle love.
Recreating this meal as the offering to please Attukal Devi, what began as a local festival transformed itself into a grand annual celebration that brought greater blessings, divine grace and prosperity into the households of women who offered this Pongala to Devi year after year.
Is Attukal Bhagawathy Kannaki?
Yes, the belief is that Attukal Bhagawathy is Kannaki. An ordinary woman's victory over the powerful King of Madurai is not a figment of imagination; it is Dharma and Shakti in powerful conjuction to elevate a woman's Bhakti and Shakti.
Another folklore is that when Kannaki reached the banks of the Killi River in Attukal after setting fire to Madurai, she appeared as a young beautiful woman who sought refuge at Mulluveetil family to cross the river, and the eldest patriarch helped her to do so. She appeared in his dream thereafter, revealing her true identity as the Goddess Herself, whereby Her instructions to him was to build a temple at the very spot where he found three golden lines in his grove.
Now here's the thing: The current Attukal temple stands at this sacred spot!
What is the meaning of Attukal?
It is the name of the temple where Devi or Bhagawathy is worshipped by devotees.
Which god is Attukal Devi?
The belief is that Attukal Devi is a divine form of Bhadra Kali.
Is Attukal Bhagawathy Kannagi?
Yes, it is believed that Attukal Bhagawathy is Kannaki.
What is the speciality of Attukal Pongala?
How does one celebrate one's beloved mother's birthday in the family? With the same fervour and joyful vibes, the Attukal Pongala becomes a celebration of women from every part of the state and the country. T
The Attukal Pongala festival honours the Divine Mother through a massive gathering of women who prepare the rice-based 'Pongala' offering over an open fire cooking pot. Rows of bricks, over which the offering is prepared, by thousands of women are methodically arranged across the length and breadth of Thiruvananthapuram.
What is special about Attukal Temple?
The Attukal Temple worships the goddess form of Kannaki, who is pleased by the preparation of a sweet, rice-based dessert made over brick hearths by women. As a result, celebrating the Divine Feminine principle lies at the heart of this temple tradition of organising the annual Attukal Pongala ritual.
While the Attukal Pongala empowers women's right to worship in their own unique way, it also enables their own spiritual reclamation where caste, community, language and religion do not matter. Women from all spheres of life treat the Attukal Pongala as a sacred spcace, safety and identity.
The Attukal temple is dedicated to the goddess Kannaki, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. It is renowned for hosting the annual Attukal Pongala festival, which holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest gathering of women.
How old is Attukal Bhagavathy Temple?
The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is known to have been consecrated around 1550 CE.
What to Do For Attukal Pongala?
You have to reserve your spot for the Pongala. If you are from outside Thiruvananthapuram, you can check with your hotel or host or contacts to do this on your behalf. Most hotels offer 'brick' spots which they keep for guests who are staying for offering Attukal Pongala - this is how we did it. You can also reach out to friends, family or social contacts to reserve your spot if they are also going.
At your nearby grocery stores, you can procure readymade 'Pongala Kits'. Separately, you can procure it by listing out the items you would need such as:
- a handful of rice (unpolished)
- jaggery
- a small bottle of ghee
- cashews and raisins
- grated coconut.
Keep essential 'set up items' for Attukal Pongala such as three bricks and a new clay pot to set up your Pongala, match box, small scissors, dry coconut shells and palm fronds that are sliced vertically into thin strips to 'ignite' the fire under the bricks once you start preparing pongala, and of course, incense sticks, some camphor, mixed flower petals, a lamp or an earthern diya, and 3-5 bottles of drinking water (This is absolutely essential!). Remember, it will be scorching hot and you will feel thirsty especially once the Pongala begins cooking.
Is there a Dress Code for Attukal Pongala?
Most women were dressed in the traditional Kerala Kasavu saree or Kerala Set saree. However, since this was the first time I was offering Pongala, I opted for a salwar suit and I found it very convenient and hassle-free especially as the smoke fumes from others also begin to scorch you on all sides.
The chances of a saree or dupattas catching fire poses a real danger. A lady next to me was making reels and she didn't see the back of her Kerala saree catch fire. Thankfully, someone who saw it threw water on her and the fire didn't spread. But this was a clear wake-up sign that fire can be a grave hazard.
Wear whatever is most comfortable for you. A 'hat' or a 'cap' for sun protection will be a life saver. In case you don't have it, keep a fresh towel over the crown of your head. As the morning progresses, the heat can be quite overwhelming to bear.
If you enjoyed reading this blog post, check out the following:
How do you light Deepam At Home?
Why Malayalis Light Nilavilakku In Their Homes
Kaalachakra or Wheel of Time: Which Phase Are You In?
A Dad's Advice To The Daughter He Loves
Comments