THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Women in thousands offered pongala to the presiding deity of Attukal Bhagavathy temple, in one of the world’s largest all-women religious gatherings.

The women prepared the pongala which is a mix of rice, jaggery and scrapped coconut in earthen or metal pots in makeshift brick stoves by lining up on either side of the roads.

The rituals began at 10.15 am when the chief priest lit the main hearth near the shrine, marking the start of the annual ritual. At 2.15 pm the priests sprinkled holy water from the temple on the offerings made by the devotees. Elaborate arrangements were made by the government for the pilgrims who started setting up hearths even two-three days in advance. Additional train and bus services were also operated to the city from various parts of the state.