The annual Attukal Pongala festival began on Monday with thousands of brick hearths being lit across Kerala’s Capital with the chief priest of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple lighting the ‘Pandara Aduppu’ — the main hearth — and passing down the flame.
Women devotees have flocked in their thousands to make the Pongala offering to the presiding deity of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple even as Kerala launched a fresh battle against the COVID-19.
The State remains on high alert after six people, including a three-year-old child, tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday and Monday.
On Sunday, the State government issued a set of dos and don’ts for the devotees after five people in the neighbouring Pathanamthitta district tested positive for COVID-19. The number rose to six on Monday.
The government would also initiate action against a hotel in the city which allowed foreigners to perform Pongala outside the hotel premises, he said.
The Attukal Pongala, described as the biggest congregation of women, is also known as the women’s Sabarimala.
People with travel history to countries affected by COVID-19 and others who have come into contact with them have been advised to stay away from the festival. They have been directed to make the Pongala offering at their residences or other places of stay if they are determined.
Health teams, ambulances in place
Several health teams and ambulances have been deployed across the festival zone, which covers a 10-km radius with the temple at its centre.
The government has also stepped up surveillance at airports across the State.
The sanctification ceremony would be held at 2.10 p.m. The ‘Chooralkuthu’ ritual will be held at 7.30 p.m. In all, 830 boys are participating in the ritual this year. A procession bearing the deity will leave the Attukal Temple for the Sastha Temple at nearby Manacaud at 10.30 p.m.
The 10-day festival will come to a close in the early hours of Tuesday.