Aduppu Vettu to Nivedyam: Key timings for tomorrow’s Attukal Pongala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Lakhs of women are set to offer Attukal Pongala tomorrow, with ceremonies officially commencing at 9:15 AM after the Shuddha Punyaha rituals. A key highlight includes the Thottam singers in the Pattupura performing the Kannaki Charitham, specifically the passage detailing the Pandya king's death. The festival remains a powerful symbol of the Goddess’s victory, celebrated through the traditional preparation of Pongala.

Following the sacred chants, Temple Tantri Thekkedath Kuzhikattu Parameswaran Vasudevan Bhattathiripad will retrieve the flame from the inner sanctum to entrust it to Melshanthi Aneesh Namboothiri. At the auspicious hour of 9:45 AM, the Melshanthi will ignite the Pongala hearth (Aduppu) within the Thidappally (temple kitchen). This flame will then be passed to the Saha Melshanthi to light the Great Thidappally and the Pandara Aduppu at the temple front, eventually radiating outward to ignite thousands of hearths across the city.

The Pongala Nivedyam will be offered at 2:15 pm, following the afternoon pooja. Around 350 priests have been assigned for the Pongala Nivedyam. The concluding ritual of Kuthiyottam, known as Churalkuttu, will be held at 08:30 PM. The ceremonial procession of the goddess to the Manacaud Sastha Kshethram will begin at 10.45 pm. The thidambu of the goddess will be carried by an elephant named Parannur Nandan. Kuthiyottam boys will accompany the procession. There will be an escort of armed police and musical instruments. Devotees from all over the state have been reaching Attukal since yesterday morning.

Restrictions on darshan

Due to the lunar eclipse on Pongala day, there will be restrictions on darshan from 2.30 pm. Trust officials have informed that the Thalapoli nercha should be completed before 1.30 pm.

The temple nada will be closed from 3.10 pm to 7 pm.