Attukal Pongala is one of Kerala’s most important and well-known events. It is held every year at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. This major religious event set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of women present at a religious fair. Millions of people participate in the holy Pongala ritual, praying and making the traditional gift for Goddess Bhagavathy (Attukalamma).
In 2025, Attukal Pongala will happen on March 13. The most important part of this ten-day celebration will be the Pooram Nakshathram. This article provides complete details on Attukal Pongala 2025 date, timings, rituals, significance, and participation guidelines.
Attukal Pongala 2025: Date and Timings
| Event | Date & Time |
| Attukal Pongala | Thursday, March 13, 2025 |
| Pooram Nakshathram Begins | 4:05 AM, March 13, 2025 |
| Pooram Nakshathram Ends | 6:19 AM, March 14, 2025 |
| Aduppuvettu (Lighting of Hearth) | 10:15 AM, March 13, 2025 |
| Pongala Nivedyam (Offering) | 1:15 PM, March 13, 2025 |
| Purathezhunnalethu Rituals | 11:15 PM, March 13, 2025 |
| Kuruthi Tharpanam (Closing Ritual) | 1:00 AM, March 15, 2025 |
Significance of Attukal Pongala
Attukal Pongala is deeply rooted in Kerala`s culture and spiritual traditions. The festival is dedicated to the Goddess Bhagavathy who represents Shakti (divine feminine energy). For this reason, it is commonly known as Sabarimala for Women, demonstrating the festival’s inclusion and importance.
Why is Attukal Pongala Important?
- Victory of Good Over Evil: The festival commemorates the legend of Kannaki Charitam, the story of Kannaki’s divine wrath and justice.
- Community Unity: Women from diverse backgrounds participate, reinforcing sisterhood and faith.
- Guinness World Record Recognition: The festival holds the record for the largest women’s religious gathering globally.
- Cultural Heritage: Recognized as an integral part of Kerala’s temple traditions, celebrated with devotion and grandeur.
Step-by-Step Guide to Attukal Pongala Rituals
1. Kappukettu Ceremony (Festival Commencement)
The festival begins with devotional songs narrating the story of Goddess Bhagavathy (Kannaki Charitam), invoking Kodungallur Bhagavathy.
2. Preparing the Pongala Offering
On March 13, 2025, millions of women devotees gather around the temple and nearby streets to prepare Pongala, a sweet dish made of:
- Rice
- Jaggery
- Coconut
- Plantains
Women use earthen pots and firewood, waiting for the Aduppuvettu signal from the temple’s chief priest to light their hearths.
3. Purification and Blessings
The temple priests sprinkle holy water over the offerings, marking the completion of the ritual. An aerial flower shower further sanctifies the event.
4. Kuruthi Tharpanam (Final Ritual)
The festival concludes with a sacrificial offering at night, symbolizing protection and divine blessings.then pots and firewood, waiting for the Aduppuvettu signal from the temple’s chief priest to light their hearths.
Attukal Pongala is more than just a festival; it is an important Hindu rite of immense religious significance, especially for the people of Kerala. The event is celebrated in accordance with the Malayalam calendar during makaram – Kumbham months and under the star of Pooram Nakshathram. Unlike most temple festivals in Kerala, Attukal Pongala is unique as it is a spiritual celebration exclusively devoted to women, who pray for the grace of Attukalamma, the Mother Goddess.
Like other grand festivals, it comprises a series of rituals, including the Purathezhunnalethu, a grand processional offering of the deity, and Kuruthi Tharpanam, a protective symbolic sacrifice. The Aduppuvettu ceremony, which involves lighting hearths, is the most powerful moment of the celebration, as it invokes great divine energies.
Preparations and Safety Arrangements for Attukal Pongala 2025
The Attukal temple and the Kerala government do and facilitate the following measures for the effective and safe conduct of the festival:
- 1,000 female police officers were deployed for crowd management.
- 179 CCTV cameras and drone surveillance for enhanced security.
- 44 fire tenders and 450 Fire and Rescue personnel, including 50 female officers.
- 3,740 sanitation workers to manage an estimated 400 tonnes of waste.
- 10 additional medical teams, cooling centers, and ambulance services.
- KSRTC will operate 700 additional buses and 18 special trains to accommodate devotees.
- The prohibition on alcohol will be in effect from 6 AM on March 12 to 6 PM on March 13.
How to Participate in Attukal Pongala 2025
1. Arrive Early
Since millions of women participate, it is advisable to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram at least a day before March 13, 2025.
2. Essential Items to Carry
- Earthen Pot for preparing Pongala
- Firewood or Brick Hearth
- Raw Ingredients: Rice, jaggery, coconut, plantains
- Drinking Water & Umbrella (for heat protection)
- Small Mat or Cloth (for seating)
3. Follow Ritual Timings
Make sure to light the hearth only after the Aduppuvettu signal from the temple priest.
4. Respect the Community and Maintain Cleanliness
Dispose of waste responsibly and follow local authorities’ guidelines.
Why Attukal Pongala is a Must-Experience Festival
- Witness the Largest Gathering of Women Devotees.
- Experience the Spiritual Energy and Cultural Heritage of Kerala.
- Seek the Divine Blessings of Goddess Bhagavathy for Prosperity and Protection.
- Be a Part of a Guinness World Record Event.
Attukal Pongala 2025 is evidence of faith, loyalty, and cultural solidarity rather than only a celebration. Whether you come or are a local devotee, seeing this great show of spirituality and sisterhood will be a life-changing event. Mark March 13, 2025 in your calendar and join them in this wonderful celebration!
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