Thousands gather for Attukal Pongala ritual amid scorching heat in Thiruvananthapuram

T'puram: The capital city was literally transformed into a spiritual world on Thursday as tens of thousands of women gathered to offer Pongala to the presiding deity of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The scorching summer heat did not deter the devotees, who lined up on the streets in devotion in one of the largest women festivals in the world. Temple authorities said this year saw a steep increase in the number of devotees, with women from all walks of life securing spots along the roads up to 10km radius of the temple. They were ready with bricks, firewood and earthen/metal pots and set up makeshift hearths to prepare the traditional sweet offering made of rice, jaggery and coconut.
Pongala ritual marked the grand finale of the 10-day annual festival. The city's atmosphere was filled with a potpourri of fragrances and resonating prayers. Devotees from different parts of the country and beyond thronged the city as several prominent figures from the film and television industry once again turned up.
Political leaders' families also offered Pongala. Union minister Suresh Gopi's family members performed the ritual at their residence once again. Opposition leader VD Satheesan's daughter too joined.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, LDF ministers GR Anil, VN Vasavan and PA Mohamed Riyas, MLA Antony Raju and BJP leader and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar were among the dignitaries who visited the Attukal temple.
The ritual commenced at 10.15am when the temple's chief priest, Brahmasree Parameshwaran Vasudevan Bhattathiripad, lit the main hearth near the temple. The ‘sacred flame' was then passed to thousands of hearths set up by devotees across the city. Pongala offering concluded at 1.15pm, followed by nivedyam (sacred offering) to the goddess.
Devotees who secured spots close to the temple proceeded for darshan while others returned home. To ensure the sanctity of the ritual, around 300 priests were present across the city to sprinkle holy water over hearths. In a spectacular gesture, an Indian Air Force helicopter showered flower petals over the gathered devotees, marking the culmination of this year's Pongala festivities.
Authorities put in place extensive arrangements to manage the massive crowd. KSRTC operated 500 special buses, ensuring smooth transit of pilgrims. Southern Railway introduced special Memu trains exclusively for women, facilitating easy travel to and from the city. The return of the devotees was also well managed by the city police, preventing any untoward incident.