Attukalpongala

Attukal temple gets a facelift

2012-02-19T12:21:00.001+05:30

The nadapandal that stretches upto the parking area behind the temple

The new look temple premise

Electrical illumination work in progress

Meeting the deadline : construction work in progress

The renovation works at the Attukal temple premises are progressing fast to give a new look for the temple before the Attukal pongala festival. Painting of the temple is over and the electrical illumination workd have stated. The work of the main venue where cultural feast is conducted is going on. Laying of tiles in the new nadapandal that stretches upto the parking area behind the temple is almost over.

Attukal Pongala 2012 preparations

2012-02-18T21:06:00.000+05:30

Festival season begins

2012-02-14T20:09:00.002+05:30

The festival season has commenced with the arrival of the month of Kumbham (February-March). Most of the festivals of Bhadrakali temples in Trivandrum commence in February. The video shows the festival procession from Mutharamman temple in Trivandrum.

Joy of pongala

2012-02-05T16:54:00.003+05:30

Darshan at Attukal

Fishes in the temple pond

Preparations in progress

Pongala is near and the preparations are on. The Attukal temple is witnessing a huge rush of devotees, mainly women, which will gradually increase in the coming days. The district administration and the Trivandrum Corporation has geared up for providing facilities on a war footing. Tarring of roads, cleaning of the drainage lines, repairs of water pipes are going on around the vicinities of the temple. The temple authorities have started the preparations long back, the painting of the temple is almost over, laying of terracota tiles in the newly constructed nadapandal is in the final stage. Come to the temple and you can sense the fragrance of Attukal Pongala.

Mystic air of Pongala

2011-10-18T23:01:00.003+05:30

Attukal Devi temple this morning

Women lighting naranga vilakku

Come to Attukal Devi temple and you will inhale the mystic air of pongala, even though the holy rite is months ahead, and that's the divinity which lingers around this unique ritual, the Attukal Pongala is on March 7, 2012. Today being the first day of Malayalam month Thulam, the temple witnessed a moderate rush of devotees.

Ponninchingam

2011-08-17T18:04:00.002+05:30

Mandaram flower

Welcome 1187.Attukalpongala wishes all the readers a happy and prosperous new year

Niraputhari at Attukal temple

2011-08-05T09:40:00.001+05:30

The Niraputhari day at Attukal

Devotees getting the rice stalk from the temple counter

A young devotee with the Niraputhari

The Niraputhari that announces the commencing of harvest season and symbolises plentititude and prosperity was celelebrated with rituals at the Attukal temple at 6 AM in the morning. A number of devotees gathered to worship Attukal Amma, to pray for prosperity and blessings.

Online registration of Kuthiyottam for 2012 Attukal Pongala festival

2011-08-04T22:35:00.003+05:30

The online registration of Kuthiyottam for 2012 Attukal Pongala festival to be held on March 2012 will begin at 10 AM on 17 August 2011 (1 Chingom 1187). More details can be found at the temple website http://www.attukal.org/. Contact numbers are 0471-2463130 / 456456. Online registration can be done also through the temple trust office.

Kuthiyottam - file photo

Sree Padmanabha: The Lord of Wealth and Prosperity

2011-07-02T23:44:00.002+05:30

The search for treasure in the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, following the Supreme Court order, has so far discovered gold, diamonds and silver worth over rupees 75,000 crores making the temple overnight to the richest temple in India. Two more cellars has to be opened which will be done on Monday. It is assumed that the 'B-vault' with a very strong metal door similar to that of present-day strong rooms, would contain treasures more than that discovered in 'A-vault' which amounted to rupees 30,000 crores. Temple authorities and historians say that the 'B-vault' was last opened 136 years ago. The story of the treasure hunt has eclipsed the fables, and the whole world is now looking into the hidden treasures in the temple. The Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple which has well maintained records in palm leaves as early as the 9 th century AD had recieved gold and money as offerings from ardent devotees which included kings, local chieftains and the common people. The Travancore dynasty which is well renowned for their honesty and devotion to people and above all with their submision to Lord Padmanabha has kept the treasure intact on strong belief that the treasure belongs to the diety. Any how the treasure has becaome a matter of concern not only for the devotees but also for the government. The government has ordered for providing a three tier security for the temple, in the light of the discovery.

The press and the police take a vigil outside west gate of the temple

Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in the morning shine

Attukal darshan

2011-07-02T23:04:00.004+05:30

The darshan of Attukal Amma in the early morning fills the soul with peace and the inner eye with tranquility,
scenes from the Attukal temple

Vishu celebrated

2011-04-17T21:07:00.001+05:30

The Vishukkani

Vishu was celebrated throughout Kerala with much enthusiasm and religious gaeity. All the important temples in Thiruvananthapuram witnessed a haevy rush right from the morning. It is believed that the planetary changes during Vishu will bring changes in life, thus Vishu is also astrologically significant event. The most important rite during Vishu day is to see the Vishukkani. The elder members of the family will give Vishukaineettam to all the members of the family.

Painguni festival: Velakali

2011-04-14T23:41:00.001+05:30

The muthukkuda and kodi (flag)

The artiste in his ornaments

Painguni festival 2011: Velakali

2011-04-14T23:36:00.001+05:30

Scenes from Velakali before Lord Sree Padmanabha on evening today.

Painguni festival

2011-04-10T22:51:00.000+05:30

Idols of Pandavas in front of the temple

A view from the temple

Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple

Painguni Festival at Sreepadmanabha Swamy Temple

2011-04-10T22:34:00.004+05:30

Dharmaputra

Bhiman

The idol of Bhiman showing intricate works

Arjunan

Nakulan

Sahadevan

The major attractions of the Painguni festival of Sreepadmanabha Swamy temple here are the display of huge idols of Pandavas, in the front of the temple and the aarattu by the Maharaja of Travancore as the concluding rite. As children we used to visit temple during these times, to have a look at the Bhima. Bhima to our little minds was the strongest, but here Dharmaputra is the biggest idol. The idols are crafted beautifully and retain their pristine look.

Procession of Mukkolakkal Devi

2011-04-05T23:24:00.000+05:30

Scenes from the procession

The annual festival of Mukkolal Devi temple will come to a close tomorrow with Pongala and other rituals. Mukkolakkal Devi is considered as the younger sister of Manacaud Dharma Sastha, and hence she comes in procession to pay tributes to her brother. Attukal Devi is regarded as the elder sister of Manacaud Dharma Sastha.

Thookkam: For blessings of Devi

2011-03-22T22:51:00.001+05:30

In Devi's faith: Thookkakaran cuddles baby to his bosom

Up.....

Up in the air

The dance after Thookkam

Preparing the Thookkakaran

2011-03-22T22:43:00.001+05:30

Pachalloor Thookkam

2011-03-22T21:57:00.002+05:30

The cart in front of pachapandal

Padakshinam around the temple

Pulling the cart

Thookam on top

Pulling the cart for blessings of Devi

Pachalloor Thookkam during the festival of Pachalloor Devi temple is famous. A cart is pulled encircling the temple. The cart has a long pole that shoots up to the sky and is pulled by thick coir ropes by people who participate in the festival. The men who volunteer to undertake Thookam (Thookkakaran~Malayalam) are tied to the tip pole that shoots up to the sky; they cuddle the children who have the nercha in their hands. After finishing one circle around the temple, the cart is stopped in front of Devi, who sits in the pachapanthal during the festival and the Thookkakaran is brought down along with the child. The Thookkakaran now performs a dance in front of the temple along with the parents of the child.

Pongala showers

2011-02-23T07:48:00.001+05:30

The clear sky in Trivandrum after Pongala Showers

The heavy down pour for the past two days in Trivandrum after Attukal Pongala, as a mark of Attukal Amma's happiness over the pongala ritual, has relieved the city from the dust and heat. The water vapours that had condensed in the air after the massive ritual has been the cause of the rain.Call it Pongala Showers.

Divine glory

2011-02-20T11:49:00.002+05:30

Attukal Amma's ezhunnellippu is accompanied by armed police as a mark of respect and authority, which is also a State ceremony.

Back to Attukal

2011-02-20T11:36:00.002+05:30

Attukal Amma leaving Sastha temple after a brief visit to her brother's abode.

Attukalamma comes to Sastha temple

2011-02-20T09:06:00.000+05:30

It is believed that Attukal Amma , the elder sister of Manacaud Dharma Sastha, comes to meet him in return for his call to come to his abode. This is the legend behind the ezhunnallippu to Sastha temple. Scenes from ezhunnallippu.

Scenes from kuthiyottam

2011-02-20T08:58:00.000+05:30

Finishing touch

2011-02-19T15:54:00.001+05:30

Pongala is over, but the salad is irresistable!