Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam is a major women`s festival celebrated in Chennai, where thousands of women gather to prepare Pongala as an offering to Goddess Attukal Devi. The festival is held at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, where devotees worship Kannagi, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. (PICS/PTI)

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)