Attukal festival to start tomorrow: Pongala on 25th

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Attukal Pongala festival, which the devotees are waiting for after purifying their mind and body, will start tomorrow. The festival arrangements are in the final stages. This time there will be systems including a special queue for darshan.

The festival begins on the 17th at 8 am with the Kappukettu ceremony of the goddess and will conclude on the 27th. Except on the 23rd, every they will be rituals taking place in the order of Abhishekam at 5:30 am, Deeparadhana at 6:05 am, Usha Pooja at 6:40 am, Usha Sreebali at 6:50 am, Kalabhabhiskekam at 7:15 am, Pantheeradi Pooja at 8:30 am, Ucha Pooja at 11:30 am, Deeparadhana at 12 noon, Ucha Sreebali at 12.30pm, Deeparadhana at 6.45pm, Bhagwati Seva at 7.15pm, Athazha Pooja at 9pm, Deeparadhana at 9.15pm, Athazha Sreebali at 9.30pm, Deeparadhana at 12pm. Thottam Pattu presentation which is the main function of the festival will also start on 17th.

Actress Anushree will inaugurate the art programs on 17th at 6 pm. Attukal Amba Award will be presented to writer George Onakkoor. On the 19th at 9:30 am, the fast for Kuthiyotta boys will begin. Aduppu vettu ritual on 25th at 10:30 am. Pongala nivedyam at 2:30 pm. Chooral kuthu for the Kuthiyotta boys at 7:30 pm and procession to Manacaud Sastha Kovil at 11 pm. On the 26th, when the procession returns, the goddess will be taken inside at 8 am. At 9:45 pm the Kappu will be removed. The festival will conclude with Kuruti Tarpanam at 12.30 pm.