Video: Millions of women join Kerala's iconic Attukal Pongala Festival

The city of Thiruvananthapuram in the south Indian state of Kerala became a sea of devotion and vibrant energy as millions of women gathered to celebrate the Attukal Pongala Festival, one of the largest all-women religious gatherings in the world. Held annually at the Attukal Bhavathy Temple, this iconic festival celebrates faith, culture, and community, drawing millions of women from across Kerala and beyond.

The Attukal Pongala Festival, dedicated to Hindu deity Attukal Bhagavathy is a significant religious occasion for devotees. Held every year during the Malayalam month of Makaram (February-March), it is a ritual of thanksgiving and prayer where women prepare a traditional offering, known as "Pongala," to the deity. The sweet offering, made from rice, jaggery, coconut, and ghee, is cooked in large clay pots over open flames as a sign of devotion and purity.

What sets this festival apart is its focus on women, with the event centred around their participation. For many women, the Pongala is an expression of gratitude, seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and the well-being of their families.

Each year, Thiruvananthapuram's streets, parks, and open spaces fill with women who bring their clay pots and set up makeshift kitchens. It is estimated that more than three million women attend the festival, making it one of the largest gatherings of women worldwide. The atmosphere is filled with the scent of cooking rice and the sound of prayers, creating a powerful sense of unity and shared faith.