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Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam Held on 9th Day
The Union Home Minister extended greetings on the occasion of Attukal Pongala, a major Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala. The festival is marked by a large scale religious gathering of women devotees.
Attukal Pongala:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Deity | Dedicated to Attukal Amma who is regarded as an incarnation of Goddess Bhadrakali. |
| Location | Held at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. |
| Participation | Recognised as the world’s largest congregation of women for a religious festival with participation exceeding three million. |
| Festival Duration | Ten day festival commencing on the Karthigai star in the Malayalam month of Makaram or Kumbham. |
| Main Ritual | Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam conducted on the ninth day of the festival. |
| Concluding Ritual | The festival concludes with the ritual sacrifice known as Kuruthitharpanam. |
| Mythological Association | Attukal Bhagavathy is believed to be an incarnation of Kannaki the central character of the Tamil epic Silappathikaaram. |
| Legendary Journey | Kannaki is believed to have travelled through the Attukal area after burning Madurai on her way to Kodungallur. |
| Popular Description | Popularly referred to as the Sabarimala of Women. |