U.S. national Diana Janet, a regular presence at the Attukal Pongala for the last 23 years, feels the festival is unique in several respects. For the California native, the annual pilgrimage to the Attukal Bhagavathy temple is an enriching experience, one she hopes will go on.
Speaking at a felicitation programme organised by the Attukalamma Samskarika Vedi here on Monday, Ms. Janet said the festival and Kerala were integral parts of her life.
Learning experience
“I have learnt so much from the pongala. I think of the values and beautiful rituals even while I am not here. Here, all are equal before the deity,” she said. She also expressed joy at the Attukal Pongala turning ‘green’ this year with the implementation of the green protocol.
Inaugurating the function, Ports Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran said the country’s cultural heritage relied on its diversity which must be protected under all circumstances. “We must all work to ensure harmony in society by preserving rituals that are the driving force of faiths. Only faith can bring together people of various nationalities and backgrounds,” he said. The Minister also released a pongala publication brought out by the forum.