Temples In Trivandrum: Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Location: Attukal, Trivandrum, Distance of 2 kms from Eastfort, 5 kms from Thiruvanathapuram central railway station and and 7 km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Main Deity: Attukal Devi

Other Deities: Shiva, Madan Thampuran, Ganapathy, Nagar

Most Important Festival: Ponkala Mahotsavam- Ten Day Celebrations - Month of Makaram - Kumbham (Feb - March) on the Karthika Star

Official Website: http://www.attukal.org

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one of the ancient temples of South India, is popularly described as Sabarimala of the Women. The Goddess in the temple of Attukal is worshipped as the Supreme Mother, creator of all living beings and the mighty preserver as well as destroyer of them all.

According to mythology, Attukal Bhagavathy is supposed to be the divinised form of Kannaki, the famous heroine of Chilapathikaram, written by Elenkovadikal, the Tamil Poet.

The temple is governed by a registered body, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust.

The Pongala Mahotsavam is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The offering of Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamilnadu. It is a ten-day programme commencing on the Karthika star of the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (February-March) and closing with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night. On the ninth day of the festival the world famous Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam takes place

The festival has gained international attention since it was listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the "largest annual gathering of women" in the world. The record was based on the number of pilgrims on 23 February 1997, when 1.5 million assembled to offer pongala to Attukal Devi. It is estimated that 3 million women attended the 2010 edition of the festival.

Temple Timings:
4:30 AM - 12:30 PM
5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

References:

http://www.attukal.org

In Orkut:

http://www.orkut.com/Community?cmm=17555819