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Attukal Pongala Festival 2026

Date: 3 March 2026

Full Date

3 March 2026 10:30 AM – 3 March 2026 2:30 PM

Muhurat Timings in India

  • Kappukettu Ritual Begins

    The ritual to light the central pongala hearth marking the start of the festival.

    3 March 2026 7:00 AM – 3 March 2026 7:30 AM

  • Pongala Offering

    Women cook and offer pongala to Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy.

    3 March 2026 10:30 AM – 3 March 2026 2:30 PM

Introduction

Attukal Pongala is a famous 10-day festival celebrated at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. On the ninth day, millions of women prepare the sacred pongala offering of rice and jaggery in earthen pots, presenting it to the goddess to seek her blessings.

Other Names

Attukal Devi Pongala, Pongala Festival Kerala

Pooja Vidhi

  • Begin with the Kappukettu ritual to light the central hearth early morning.
  • Women arrange their earthen pots in designated spots around the temple and prepare ingredients.
  • Light the fire using the holy flame from the temple’s main hearth.
  • Cook pongala with rice, jaggery, coconut, and other offerings.
  • Offer the cooked pongala to the goddess with prayers and devotion.
  • Partake in community singing of devotional songs.

Rituals

  • The festival starts with Kappukettu, a ritual involving lighting the offering hearth.
  • Women gather near the temple and prepare pongala, a sweet rice dish cooked in earthen pots.
  • Pongala is offered to Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy with prayers.
  • The chief priest lights the main oven, and other hearths are lit from this fire.
  • The ritual is exclusive to women; men are allowed only as priests and security personnel.
  • Folk songs called Thottam Pattu are sung throughout the festival days.

Regional Highlights

  • Attukal Pongala is celebrated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, attracting millions of women devotees.
  • The festival is known as the largest gathering of women anywhere worldwide.
  • Women of all ages, castes, and communities participate together.

History

The festival honors Goddess Kannagi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, symbolizing feminine power and devotion. It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest annual gathering of women anywhere in the world.

Additional Information

  • The festival symbolizes feminine power, devotion, and community bonding.
  • It has been recognized by the Guinness World Records for its scale.
  • Attukal Temple is often called the 'Sabarimala for Women.'
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