Attukal ponkala

There us an ancient Bhagavathy temple (Mudippura) at Attukal in the Kaladi ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Over and above the daily pujas in the temple, Mandalapuja is performed every year from first Vrischikam to 12th Dhanu with occasional Chirappu. But the most important festival in this temple, generally known as Attukal Ponkala commences on Bharani day in Kumbhom (February-March) and continues for nine days. The festival begins with Thottampattu ( a song about Bhagavathi) which goes on during all the nine days. On the ninth day, several thousands of women assemble in the temple compound with ponkala. Many of them bring with them even firewood for cooking the Ponkala. Ponkala is an offereing usually made in Bhagavathy temples, prepared in the form of pudding by cooking rice, jaggery, coconut kernel and plaintain fruits in varying combinations. One ritual starts from very early in the morning and by noon all the ponkalas would be ready. When the melsanthi (chief priest) carrying Devi's sword goes over all the places around the temple and blesses them by sprinkling holy water and showering flowers. It is almost impossible to estimate the number of ponkalas. After this, the Devi is taken in procession to Manacaud Sastha Temple accompanied by Thalapoli, Kuthiyottom, Annam, Vahanam, Caparisoned elephants etc. In this procession famous troupes of percussion instruments like chenda Nagaswaram, band and Neyyandi Melam take part. There will also be Kumbhakudam (pageantry) during the procession. All along the route, the procession is received with Nirapara ( a measure filled with paddy and decorated with flowers) arranged in front of houses. The procession returns only in the next morning