Attukal Bhagavathy temple (Mudippura), knows as the Sabarimala of women, is
in Thiruvananthapuram. Attukal Ponkala, the annual festival commences on Bharani
day in Kumbhom (February - March) and continues for nine days. Ponkala is an
offering usually made in Bhagavathy temples, prepared in the form of payasam
( a liquid food in Kerala), ingredients are rice, jaggery, coconut kernel and
plantain fruits. The festival begins with thottampattu (a song about Bhagavathy)
which is being chanted for nine days continuously.
On the ninth day, women throng the temple with ponkala pots and ingredients
for cooking. Ponkala preparation starts morning and by noon would be over, then
the melsanthi (chief priest) carrying Devi's sword goes around the temple sprinkling
holy water and showering flowers over the preparation. After this, the idol
of the Devi is being taken in procession to the Manacaud Sastha Temple with
the accompaniment of thalapoli, kuthiyottom, annam, vahanam and, caparisoned
elephants. Percussion in the procession include chenda, nagaswaram, band and
neyyandi melam. There will also be Kumbhakudam (pageantry) during the procession.
En route, the procession is received with nirapara (a pot filled with paddy
and decorated with flowers usually arranged in front of traditional Kerala houses).
The procession returns next morning.
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