THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 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, began on Tuesday with the lighting of the 'pandara aduppu' (main hearth) at the temple.
The chief priest Thekkedathu Kuzhikattillathu Parameshwaran Vasudevan Bhattathiripadu completed rituals at 10 am. Drums and fireworks signaled the beginning of pongala ritual. Temple priest Arun Kumar Namboothiri then handed over the light to hearth kept outside. Soon the entire area was filled with chants and smoke from the hearth.
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, were lit by women devotees. According to temple officials, a record 40 lakh women are participating in the ritual thie year. Elaborate security arrangements have been 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' will culminate at 1.30 p.m when hundreds of priests would sprinkle ‘theertham’ (holy water) on the 'pongala nivedyam'.