THIRUUVANANTHAPURAM: The world-renowned 'pongala' ritual at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple here, billed as the biggest congregation of women anywhere in the world for a religious ceremony was held on Tuesday.
The 'pongala' ceremony began at 10 am with the lighting of the 'pandara aduppu' (main hearth) at the temple.
Simultaneously, lakhs of hearths, placed both at the premises of the temple, known as 'Women's Sabarimala' and also at a radius of 10 kilometres from the shrine, were lit by the devotees.
According to temple officials, around 40 lakh women participated in the ritual. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place to ensure smooth proceedings.
The 'pongala nivedyam', prepared in earthen pots, is a sweet dish made of rice, jaggery and coconut gratings, as an offering to the deity. The 'pongala' concluded at 1.30 pm when the chief priest sprinkled ‘theertham’ (holy water) on the 'pongala nivedyam' at the temple and hundreds of priests followed suit.
Devotees who offered pongala at the temple and nearby areas were showered with flower petals through an aircraft.