Attukal Devi Temple, Trivandrum, Kerala
February 26, 2010
If this if your first “Attukal Pongala” experience in Trivandrum, you are in for a treat. The day in the city when most bachelors survive on maggie. The whole city turns festive with women folk lining up in HUGE numbers in the sides of the roads to make “Pongala” and offer it to the Gods on this day.
“Pongala” is a sweet recipe prepared using rice, jaggery and coconut in earthen pots and offered to the Devi of Attukal.
About the Attukal Devi Temple
Attukal Devi Temple, more popularly called the Attukal Bagavathy Temple is located near the Sree Padbhanabha Swamy Temple. This temple is one of the oldest Devi Temples in South India with Goddess Bhagavati (a form of Parvathi) as the presiding deity. Goddess is considered as “amma” (mother) by many giving her the name, Attukalamma. This place popularly known as the “Sabarimala of Women”, is most popular for the festival – “Attukal Pongala” held in the malayalam month of Makaram – Kumbham (Feb-March).
Attukal Pongala got its international fame when it got into the Guinness Book of World Records in back February 1997 when around 1.5 million womenfolk donned the roads to offer Pongala to the Attukalamma.
Legend of the Attukalamma
It is said that a attukalamma appeared in the dream of a 12 year old girl of the Mulluveettil family and asked to create a home for her at a spot nearby marked by 3 lines. The temple was built at the exact same spot accordingly.
Reaching Attukal Devi Temple, Trivandrum
By Road
Trivandrum Bus Station is situated at around 2 Km from the temple at Thampanoor and the city bus stand at East Fort is around 1.5 km from Attukal Bhagavathi.
By Train
Trivandrum Central Railway Station is also location nearby in Thampanoor.
By Air
Valiyathura has the Trivandrum International Airport which is around 7 km from this temple.
Attukal Temple Contact Address / Location
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
Manacaud P.O.,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695 009
Kerala, India
Phone Numbers +91-471 – 2463130 (Off) 2456456 (Temple)
Fax +91-471 – 2456457
Attukal Devi on the Map:
There is a lot to be said about the festivity of Attukal Pongala, the extravagant 10 day celebrations, it will be another post 
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I am visiting from New York City and participated in the Attukal Pongala for 7 hours today. It was very colorful and interesting. The police even let me come into the courtyard of the Attukal Temple. Along the route, everyone was curious about me and a few came over to ask my name and where I was from. I was able to take many photos which will be a wonderful memory for me of my first Pongala. All day, I was only the Westerner so it was quite special. The people of Kerala are beautiful in body and spirit……
on February 28th, 2010