One of the ancient Devi Temples of South India is Attukal Devi Temple. The temple is situated on the banks of the river called Killi. The presiding deity is Goddess Bhagavathi. The devotees called as Amma, Kannaki, goddess Parvathi and so on. The major devotees are women and so popularly called as “Sabarimala of Women”.

Architectural style and myth:

The temple is notable for the architectural style of both Tamil and Kerala. The temple corridors are carved with numerous Hindu Gods and goddesses. The front gopuram is designed with the story of goddess Kannaki. According to the myth, while cursing the city of Madurai, Kannaki left the city and reached Kodungalloor. On the way she rest at Attukal and Temple was built at the place where Kannaki took rest.

Important festival:

Pongala is the important festival in this temple. Attukal Pongala is a 10 day festival. It starts from the bharani star of Malayalam month Kumbham (February-March). The ninth day on the Pooram star is the Pongala day. It is an exclusive women’s only festival. Pongala  is an offering of boiled rice with jiggery, coconut gratings, ghee and nuts in a earthern pot to Attukal Amma. Theraliappam, Mandaputtu are also prepared with rice and jiggery by the devotees. Devotees who gather to offer Pongala 5 km around the temple in bus station, railway station, courtyards of houses, theatre and all the major and minor roads.

The temple also has separate shrines for Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Nagaraja, Lord Madan Thampuran. The main offerings in this temple are Muzhukkappu, Kalabhabhishekham, Udayasthamana pooja, Bhagavathy Seva, Chuttuvilakku, Sree bali and Panchamrithabhishekam. The Muzhukappu is booked until 2025 AD and Kalabhabhishekham for the next five years. Other festivals are Kuthiyottam, Thalappoli, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Aiswarya Pooja, Ayilya pooja, Akhandanamajapam, Shivarathri pooja etc.

Highlights of the day:

Procession of colorful floats of deity all around provides a pleasing experience. Kuthiyottam boys below the age of 13 make the offering of kuthiyottam in the same day. Various art forms like peacock dance, kolkali, kumbadance, panchavadyam  are on the either side of the road. The ten day festival culminates with an offering known as “kuruthi Tharpanam” at night. On that day Devi visit Lord Shastha at the Manacaud temple who is regarded as her younger brother.   

Article Posted By : Minijayan  On June 16, 2014lView All Articles

The Pongala festival has enters into Guiness Book of World Records.

Article Source :

http://www.veethi.com/articles/pongala-festival-in-attukal-article-3142.htm

Keywords :
Exclusive women's festival