Lakhs of devotees take part in 'Pongala' festival amid coronavirus scare

Amid the coronavirus scare and strict government guidelines issued in the wake of six fresh positive cases being reported in Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is all set to celebrate the Attukal Pongala festival. The festival is all about the annual ritualistic offering to the presiding deity of the Attukal Bhagavathy temple by women.

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala):The city of Thiruvananthapuram is geared up to celebrate 'Attukal Pongala' festival on Monday. The festival is all about the annual ritualistic offering to the presiding deity of the Attukal Bhagavathy temple by women.

According to locals, around 45 lakhs devotees are expected to attend the festival this year.

The ritual sees thousands of women from all over the state congregating in the state capital to prepare Pongala (sweet offering) as part of the annual festival of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, which is popularly known as the "Women's Sabarimala".

In the year 2009, the event had registered its name in the Guinness Book of Records for having the world's largest gathering of women, around 25 lakh.

"I came from Pathanamthitta. I am coming to the festival for several years. Everything that I have, is because of the blessing of the goddess," said Madhavikutty Amma, a devotee.

The women will cook the Pongala, which is made of rice, jaggery, coconut, and ghee - over makeshift brick hearth and offer it to the goddess.

A 63-year-old woman, Pankajakshi, was seen selling Pongala items in the city. "I have been selling Pongala items here since childhood. It gives me tremendous joy to sell this to those who come to offer their prayers to the goddess," said Pankajaksh.

On the other hand, the Kerala government has issued fresh guidelines for the devotees in the backdrop of five fresh positive coronavirus cases which have been reported in the state.

The State Health Minister KK Shailaja said, "Preparations have been going on since a long time for the famous festival, hence, no chance to skip the festival in this year."

Shailaja informed that the health authorities have issued strict instructions for those who have cold, fever or showing any symptoms of the virus, should offer Pongala only in front of their homes and avoid crowded places.

The ministers also planned to visit the Attukal temple complex to supervise the preparations, she added.

Besides this, video footage of those who are going to participate in the festival would also be taken, so that it becomes easy to get in touch with everyone in case of any issues.

While addressing the media, the Thiruvananthapuram district Collector K Gopalakrishnan said, "Many arrangements have been made for the foreigners who are going to participate in the Pongala rituals, that they can make the offering in their hotel itself."

Those who have come from the virus affected nations should offer Pongala at their homes, instead of joining people in the ritual at Attukal Bhagavathy temple, said the Collector.

Twenty-three teams will be kept ready at various places during the Pongala festival with 12 ambulances, he said adding that awareness camps would be held at Railway stations and bus stands.

The state had reported the first three positive cases in India for the deadly virus and had successfully treated them.

The Union Health Ministry had recently advised to either avoid or postpone mass gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In case, such gatherings are organised, the respective states should take necessary action to guide the organisers on precautions to be taken, a communication from the Ministry had said.

(Input from ANI)