‘Amme Narayana, Attukal Amme'…Ananthapuri in devotion, Pongala hearths lit 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With hundreds of devotees pouring in, the capital city (Ananthapuri) turned into a prayerful temple courtyard. The wish-fulfilling Goddess Attukalamma was omnipresent. The moment fire was lit into the hearth in front of the Pattupura during Attukalamma's Thirunada, there was chenda mela, vaaykurava and the firing of kathina. The next moment, fire was lit to the hearths accompanied by the vaaykurava.

Devotees lit the hearths in praise of the goddess. Women in lakhs who had come to offer pongala, dedicated themselves to that auspicious occasion. Neither the scorching sun nor the scorching heat from the hearths discouraged the devotees. Many people's eyes filled with tears as they offered rice grains to the pots. Along with the Pongala, they also offered prayers to the goddess.

Pongala hearths were lined up for kilometers from the Attukal Devi temple. In many places, the hearths were lined up in two or three rows. The day before, thousands had set up hearths on the streets and waited to meditate on the goddess. Every nook and corner of the city was filled with Pongala hearths. The city views indicate that more devotees had come for Pongala than last year.

People from outside the state and foreigners had come to reap the benefits of Pongala. Thousands had come for darshan before the temple opened in the morning on Pongala day. Organizations, institutions, food and drinks were generously served to the devotees.

The nivedhyam is at 2.15 pm. After nivedhyam at the Pandara hearth in the temple, nivedhyam will be offered in other pots. After the offering is over, the devotees will return home with a fulfilled mind. Now it's time to wait for next year.

12 dishes
12 items are offered to the goddess, including vellachor, sharkkara payasam, mandapputtu, therali, modhakam, vatsan, panthirunazhi, payar nivedhyam, neipayasam, idichupizhinja payasam, aravana, and unniappam.