THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Musical instruments and Goddess mantras filled the atmosphere. The packed devotees chanted the Goddess' praises with folded hands. Ritual fireworks were lit. The Pongala festival at the Attukal Bhagavathy temple began with the "Kappukettu ceremony" in a devotional atmosphere. The Thottampattu also started in the green pavilion outside. The Kappukettal ceremony was held at 10 am yesterday, the Karthika star in the Kumbha month. Pongala is on the 13th, the Makam day.

The temple Thantri Thekkedath Parameswaran Vasudevan Bhattathiripad tied one of the Kappu made of Panchaloha to the goddess's sword and the other to the hand of Melshanthi V Muraleedharan Namboothiri. The Nediyavilakam family members, who perform the song and pooja on the first day, brought the Kappu prepared with the purity of fasting and the thread to tie it to the temple. The Thantri performed the ceremony after sprinkling the Kaapu with holy water and purifying it.

The chief priest will remain in the temple until the festival is over. On the 13th, after the Pongala, the chief priest will accompany the purathezhunnalethu at night. The Kappu will be removed the next day, after the procession reaches the temple. The festival will conclude with the Kuruti Tharpanam.

The ceremony begins with the singing about the goddess in the Thottampattu. The second day is the singing of the goddess's wedding. The Kuthiyottam vratham will begin tomorrow at 9.15 am, the third day of the festival.