Celebrated In : Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Centre of Activity : Attukal Bhagavathi Temple
Specialty : Exclusive Festival for Women
Held In : February/March

The Attukal Bhagavathi Temple devoted to the Goddess Bhagavathi is situated in Thiruvananthapuram city. Pongala, an exclusive festival for women, falling in February/ March, is the speciality of this temple.

The name 'Pongala' means 'to boil over' and refers to the ritualistic offering of porridge made of rice, sweet brown molasses, coconut gratings, nuts and raisins.

Only women devotees are allowed to contribute in this ritual. Right from the previous night, thousands of women devotees start assembling in the temple building and on either side of the roads leading to the shrine.