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Thousands Join Women's Pongala Ritual
31 Mar
Summary
- Thousands of women participated in the annual Pongala ritual.
- The week-long festival culminated with the Pongala on Monday.
- Offerings of rice, jaggery, and coconut were prepared.
The Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Devi Temple concluded its week-long festival on Monday with the annual Pongala ritual, drawing thousands of women devotees. The main hearth was lit at 10:15 AM, signaling the start of the ritual across numerous makeshift hearths.
Despite intense summer heat, temple authorities reported smooth arrangements for the large turnout. The Pongala offerings, consisting of rice, jaggery, and coconut in earthen pots, extended for nearly 4 to 5 kilometers. The ceremonial sword of the deity was processed to 'pandarakkalam' for 'pongala tharpanam'.
The festival, observed annually on the makam day in the Malayalam month of Meenam, concluded with the 'gurusi' ritual after the 'athazha pooja'. The event is believed to coincide with the goddess's birth star.
