Arrangements completed: Attukal Pongala on March 3

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Pongala festival at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple will begin on February 23 at 5.30 pm with the traditional ritual of ‘Kappukettu and Kudiyiruthal’. The main Pongala ceremony will be held on March 3. The sacred fire will be lit at the Pandara Aduppu at 9.45 am, and the offering (Nivedyam) will take place at 2.15 pm. Temple trust officials said at a press conference that all arrangements for the festival have been completed.

Since there will be a lunar eclipse on the day of Pongala, the temple will remain closed from 3.10 pm to 7 pm. Devotees offering Thalappoli must reach the temple before 1.30 pm. The Kuthiyottam ritual will begin on February 25. Apart from the traditional Pandara Ottam, 581 boys have 581 boys have registered for the Kuthiyottam ritual this year. The festival will conclude on March 4, with the ‘Kappazhikkal and Kudiyirakkal’ ceremony at 9.45 pm, followed by the Kuruthi Tharpanam ritual at 12.45 am.

Cultural programmes will be held on three stages- Amba, Ambika and Ambalika. Actor Mohanlal will inaugurate the cultural events at 8 pm on February 23. He will also receive the Attukal Amba Award. Live streaming of Pongala will be available on the temple website. Major temple rituals and cultural programmes at the Amba stage can be watched live. Devotees can also book poojas and offerings online.

An information counter has been set up near the temple entrance. There will also be a free counter to store mobile phones and baggage. Temple trust chairman S. Venugopal, president V. Shobha, secretary K. Sarath Kumar, treasurer A. Geethakumari, vice president P.K. Krishnan Nair, joint secretary A.S. Anumod and festival committee general convener M.A. Ajith Kumar attended the press conference.