THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Pongala festival at the Attukal temple will begin at 10.50 am on Wednesday, with the 'Kappuketti' ritual. Pongala is on February 17. After the pooja, out of the two kapp, one of the kappu is tied to the hand of Melshanthi and the other to the udaval of the goddess, this is the ritual.

The thottampattu will start in the pattupura in front of the temple. The story of Kannaki in Silapathikaram is sung. On the first day, the part of the story where the goddess is being seated by singing is sung.

Actor Indrans will inaugurate the event at 6.30 pm. The fasting for Kuthiyottam ritual will start at 11 am. This time only one child is fasting for the Pandaraottam. Chooralkuthu for Kuthiyottam will be held at 7.30 pm on the day of Pongala. Outside processions will start at 10.30 pm. On arrival at Manakkad Dharmasastha Temple, the procession will return the next morning after the poojas. On February 18, at night 9.45 pm Devi's kappu will be removed. The festival will end on 19th at one o'clock in the morning.