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:

View Larger Map

There is a lot to be said about the festivity of Attukal Pongala, the extravagant 10 day celebrations, it will be another post

‘Parnasala’ of Karunakara Guru coming up at Santhigiri Ashram! Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs has described the ‘parnasala’ as a symbol of world peace, after launching a ‘global dissemination campaign’. He spoke on the message and ideology of Karunakara guru for the promotion of world peace.

The ashram has remarkably translated the spirituality into community action. Dr. Tharoor said, “The spirituality and self-realisation being propagated by the Ashram is also aimed at the welfare of the public. This is what makes the Ashram a very special place.” The ashram is aiming to focus on peace and environmental protection. The dedication of the ‘parnasala’ will be held on September 12, 2010.

Beemapalli is an important place of worship and is known as the Beemapalli Dargah Shareef . It is dedicated to Beema Umma who was a Muslim woman known to be pious and is said to have great mystic powers. The festival of the mosque is the Chandanakoodam festival and last for  ten days. It is a very vibrant and colorful festival with a large participation.