Attukal Pongala's by digiman

Trivandrum - India, Kerala The Goddess in the temple of Attukal is worshipped as the Supreme Mother. The Ponkala is the most important festival of Attukal Devi Temple celebrated every year. The offering of Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamilnadu. The Pongala takes place the entire area of about 6 kilometer radius around the temple premises inclusive of private houses, open fields, roads, commercial institutions, premises of Government offices etc. The uniqueness of the festival is that only women are allowed to do the offerings on that day. The devotees bring firewood for cooking the Ponkala. Ponkala is prepared in the form of pudding by cooking rice, jaggery, coconut kernel and plantain fruits in varying combinations. Ritual starts from morning and by noon all the ponkala would be ready when the chief priest blesses by sprinkling holy water and showering flowers.

Uploaded: Mar, 05 2008 | Taken: Feb, 24 2005| Viewed: 58 times  | 7 votes

zrusseff - Mar, 09 2008 10:03pm Digiman, thanks for the cultural lesson. Very information caption for the photograph of the ritual. Is this Hinduism? Thanks! krisek - Mar, 10 2008 03:03pm What a great shot and brilliant description! Thank you so much. aufgehts - Mar, 10 2008 09:03pm Fantastic shot and very interesting insight to the festival. Thank you!