Pongala begins brewing at Thiruvananthapuram's Attukal temple, devotees line city streets

The Pongala offering began in front of Attukal temple with the temple chief priest Vishnu Namboothiri lighting the traditional hearth at 10.15 am on Wednesday.

Devotees get ready to offer Pongala at Thampanoor in Thiruvananthapuram. (Photo | EPS/BP Deepu) 

A devotee makes preparations for offering Pongala. (Photo | EPS/BP Deepu)

Devotees light hearths to prepare Pongala. The flame from the temple's sacred hearth was passed on quickly to light all the other hearths. (Photo | EPS/BP Deepu)

Devotees chant 'Amme Saranam, Devi Saranam' while preparing to offer Pongala. (Photo | EPS/BP Deepu)

An aerial view of devotees offering Pongala. A total of 250 priests are looking after the offering taking place in the city.(Photo | EPS/BP Deepu)

A devotee engaged in preparing Pongala. (Photo | EPS/BP Deepu)

Devotees across the city lit hearths they had set up along the road to cook rice and jaggery, which are offerings to the presiding deity of Attukal temple. (Photo | EPS/BP Deepu)

A devotee delighted by the cheer of Pongala festivities. (Photo | EPS/BP Deepu)

A devotee busy with Pongala preparations. (Photo | EPS/BP Deepu)

A view of the city streets lined with Pongala devotees. As many as 3700 policemen were deployed as part of security. (Photo | EPS/BP Deepu)