IN PHOTOS: Devotees gather for Kappukettu ceremony at Attukal Pongala festival

Updated On: 05 March, 2025 02:59 PM IST | Anisha Shrivastava

The Attukal Pongala festival is an annual religious event held at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, drawing thousands of devotees. Panchavadyam, a traditional temple percussion ensemble featuring five instruments, is performed as part of the sacred Kappukettu ceremony. (PICS/PTI) 

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<div>During Kappukettu, devotees seek blessings from Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy, believed to be an incarnation of Kannaki, a revered figure in Tamil folklore. Traditional performances, including Panchavadyam—a rhythmic temple orchestra featuring five instruments—enhance the spiritual atmosphere.</div>

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During Kappukettu, devotees seek blessings from Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy, believed to be an incarnation of Kannaki, a revered figure in Tamil folklore. Traditional performances, including Panchavadyam—a rhythmic temple orchestra featuring five instruments—enhance the spiritual atmosphere.

<div>Thousands of devotees gather at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, offering prayers and participating in rituals that symbolise devotion and prosperity. The festival is known for its unique practice where women prepare a sacred offering of Pongala (sweet rice dish) in earthen pots.</div>

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Thousands of devotees gather at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, offering prayers and participating in rituals that symbolise devotion and prosperity. The festival is known for its unique practice where women prepare a sacred offering of Pongala (sweet rice dish) in earthen pots.

<div>Kappukettu involves adorning the temple deity with sacred threads and ornaments, signifying divine protection and blessings for devotees. The sound of percussion instruments like chenda, thimila, and maddalam fills the air, creating an electrifying devotional ambience.</div>

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Kappukettu involves adorning the temple deity with sacred threads and ornaments, signifying divine protection and blessings for devotees. The sound of percussion instruments like chenda, thimila, and maddalam fills the air, creating an electrifying devotional ambience.

<p>The festival’s traditions reflect Kerala’s deep-rooted spiritual and cultural heritage, drawing pilgrims from across the state and beyond. Devotees believe that participating in the Pongala ritual brings prosperity, fulfils wishes, and grants divine grace.</p>

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The festival’s traditions reflect Kerala’s deep-rooted spiritual and cultural heritage, drawing pilgrims from across the state and beyond. Devotees believe that participating in the Pongala ritual brings prosperity, fulfils wishes, and grants divine grace.

<p>The festival holds immense significance in the region, with local authorities ensuring smooth conduct and crowd management. The Attukal Pongala festival has earned global recognition, even securing a Guinness World Record for the largest congregation of women in a religious gathering.</p>

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The festival holds immense significance in the region, with local authorities ensuring smooth conduct and crowd management. The Attukal Pongala festival has earned global recognition, even securing a Guinness World Record for the largest congregation of women in a religious gathering.

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IN PHOTOS: Devotees gather for Kappukettu ceremony at Attukal Pongala festival

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Photo of Day

Bliss by the beach