Pongala: Thanksgiving ritual for Goddess Durga
by K Ashik

         Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): Women congregated at the Attukal Bhagavathi temple in Kerala for a thanksgiving ritual to Goddess Durga. The special ritual called Pongala is observed by women across South India. In this temple it is a ten-day festival. "Pongala" literally means `to boil over' and refers to the ritualistic offering of porridge, made of rice and jaggery. It is considered to be the goddess's favourite offering. The main deity of Hindu Attukal temple is goddess Durga, known locally as Attukal Bhagavathy. The ceremony was organised at the Attukal Bhagavathi Temple, two kilometres from Kerala's capitalThiruvananthapuram. It is believed that offering Pongala or sweet porridge to the goddess relieves women of their sufferings. On this day, women cook the offering in a clay pot put on an open-fire. The festival ends with women offering Pongala (porridge) to the deity. But for many devotees coming from different parts of South India with families, it is an occasion of special significance. "I come here every year for the blessings of Attulkalamma (goddess) and for the prosperity of my family. I wish to come here again." Meenakshi, a devotee, said. "We receive blessings of the goddess and she also helps us overcome difficulties and takes care of us," said Gomathy Amma, another devotee. This year, around 800,000 women from all parts of south India congregated at Attukal temple, also known as "Sabarimala of women". Interestingly, at Sabarimala, another temple in Kerala, only male devotees offer prayers As the ritual ends, the chief priest of the temple goes around carrying the sword of the Goddess, and blesses the devotees by sprinkling holy water and flower petals on them. As it takes place during the tourist season, the festival has found a place in the international tourist calendar. Mar 16, 2006

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