Are you looking for a unique and spiritual experience in Kerala? Do you want to witness the largest gathering of women for a religious activity in the world? If yes, then you should visit the Attukal Temple in Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
This temple is dedicated to Goddess Attukal Amma, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, who is worshipped as the supreme mother and protector of all living beings. The temple is also known as the women’s Sabarimala because of its popularity among female devotees.
The temple holds a Guinness World Record for the Attukal Pongala Festival, which attracts millions of women every year. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this temple and its festival. Read on!
Attukal Pongala Festival: The Biggest Women’s Festival in the World
The main attraction of the Attukal Temple is the Attukal Pongala Festival, which is celebrated every year in February or March. The festival is a 10-day-long event, but the highlight is the ninth day, when millions of women gather around the temple and offer pongala to the goddess. Pongala is a sweet dish made of rice, coconut, jaggery, and spices, cooked in earthen pots over firewood. The women prepare the pongala in a ritualistic manner and wait for the temple priests to bless it. The festival is a symbol of women’s devotion, solidarity, and empowerment. It is also a way of expressing gratitude and seeking blessings from the goddess.
The festival has been recognized by the Guinness World Record as the largest gathering of women for a religious activity in the world. In 2009, more than 3.7 million women participated in the festival, creating a 20-kilometer-long circle around the temple. The festival is also a cultural spectacle, as women dress up in traditional attire, sing devotional songs, and dance to the rhythm of drums. The festival is a unique and unforgettable experience that you should not miss if you are in Kerala during that time.
If you want to participate in the festival, here are some tips and suggestions for you:
- Book your accommodation well in advance, as hotels and guest houses near the temple get filled up quickly during the festival season.
- Arrive early at the temple premises or nearby areas to find a suitable spot for cooking pongala. You can also join other women who are willing to share their space and utensils.
- Bring your own earthen pots, firewood, rice, coconut, jaggery, spices, and water for preparing pongala. You can also buy them from local vendors or shops near the temple.
- Follow the instructions of the temple authorities and volunteers for safety and hygiene reasons. Do not litter or create any disturbance during the festival.
- Enjoy the festival with a spirit of devotion and camaraderie. Make friends with other women and share your stories and experiences.
History and Legend of Attukal Temple: The Divine Girl and the Devoted Karanavar
The Attukal Temple has a fascinating history and legend behind it. It is believed that a few centuries ago, there was a man named Karanavar, who was the head of the Mulluveettil family. He was a devout follower of Goddess Bhadrakali (another form of Goddess Parvati) and used to perform daily prayers at his home near the Killi River.
One day, he saw a young girl standing on the other side of the river, who asked him to help her cross it. He was captivated by her beauty and charisma, and felt that she was not an ordinary girl. He bowed down to her and helped her cross the river. He also invited her to his home for lunch.
While his family was busy preparing to welcome the girl, she disappeared mysteriously. That night, Karanavar had a dream in which the girl appeared again. She revealed that she was Goddess Bhadrakali herself and asked him to build a temple for her at Kavu, a place where animals and plants are not disturbed.
Karanavar woke up from his dream and realized that he had met the divine mother. He followed her instructions and built a temple for her at Kavu with the help of his family and friends. This temple came to be known as the Attukal Temple.
The legend also says that the girl was none other than Kannagi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, who is mentioned in the famous Tamil epic of Chipathikaram. Kannagi was a virtuous wife who avenged the death of her husband, who was falsely accused of stealing a queen’s anklet and executed by the king of Madurai. She proved her husband’s innocence by showing that the anklet was made of pearls, not diamonds, and cursed the city of Madurai to be burnt down by her wrath.
After destroying Madurai, Kannagi left Tamil Nadu and came to Kerala, where she met Karanavar. She was on her way to Kodungallur, where she attained salvation. Kannagi is worshipped as Attukal Amma, the goddess of justice and compassion.
Significance and Architecture of Attukal Temple: A Blend of Tamil and Kerala Style
The Attukal Temple is not only a place of worship, but also a place of art and culture. The temple exhibits a blend of Tamil and Kerala style of architecture, with intricate carvings and paintings. The temple has a majestic gopura (gateway tower) that welcomes the devotees. The gopura has images of various gods and goddesses, as well as scenes from the life of Kannagi.
The temple has a mandapam (hall) where the devotees can sit and pray. The mandapam has beautiful pillars and ceilings, adorned with floral motifs and geometric patterns. The temple also has a sanctum sanctorum, where the idol of Attukal Amma is installed. The idol is made of granite and has four arms, each holding a spear, a sword, a skull, and a shield. The idol is decorated with gold ornaments and flowers.
The temple also has a prakaram (circumambulatory path) around the sanctum sanctorum, where the devotees can walk and offer their prayers. The prakaram has several other shrines dedicated to different deities, such as Mahishasuramardini (Goddess Durga), Rajarajeshwari (Goddess Lakshmi), Sree Parvathy (Goddess Parvati), Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesh, Lord Murugan, and Lord Ayyappa.
The temple also has a museum that displays various artifacts and paintings related to the temple’s history and culture. The museum also has a collection of antique jewelry, coins, lamps, musical instruments, weapons, and utensils.
The temple is not only a religious center, but also a social center. The temple authorities do various social works for the welfare of the people. They arrange weddings for poor couples and provide them with dress and ornaments. They also provide medical help for poor patients and scholarships for poor students. They also organize cultural programs and festivals to promote art and culture.
Timings and Dress Code of Attukal Temple: Rules and Regulations for Darshan and Poojas
The Attukal Temple is open for darshan and poojas every day from 4:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 6:45 PM to 8:30 PM. The devotees can have a glimpse of the goddess and offer their prayers during these hours.
The temple also performs various poojas throughout the day, such as Ganapathy Homam, Bhagavathy Seva, Thrikala Pooja, Udayasthamana Pooja, etc. The devotees can book these poojas online or offline by paying a nominal fee.
The temple also has some rules and regulations for the devotees who want to enter the temple premises. The devotees have to follow a strict dress code while visiting the temple. The men have to wear dhoti or mundu (white cloth wrapped around the waist) without any shirt or vest. The women have to wear saree or salwar kameez with dupatta (long scarf). The devotees have to remove their footwear before entering the temple.
The devotees also have to follow some rules while offering prasadam (food offering) to the goddess. The devotees can offer only vegetarian food items such as rice, coconut, jaggery, fruits, etc. They cannot offer any non-vegetarian food items such as meat, eggs, fish, etc. They also cannot offer any alcoholic beverages or tobacco products to the goddess.
The devotees have to respect the sanctity and cleanliness of the temple. They cannot litter or create any noise or disturbance in the temple premises. They have to follow the instructions of the temple authorities and volunteers for their safety and convenience.
How to Reach Attukal Temple: Modes of Transport and Nearby Attractions
The Attukal Temple is located in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala. The temple is easily accessible by various modes of transport from different parts of the city and state. The temple is about 5 km away from Trivandrum International Airport, which connects Trivandrum with major cities in India and abroad. The devotees can take a taxi or an auto rickshaw from the airport to reach the temple.
The temple is about 2 km away from Trivandrum Central Railway Station, which connects Trivandrum with major cities and towns in Kerala and other states. The devotees can take a taxi, an auto rickshaw, or a bus from the railway station to reach the temple.
The temple is about 3 km away from Thampanoor Bus Stand, which connects Trivandrum with various places in Kerala and neighboring states. The devotees can take a taxi, an auto rickshaw, or a bus from the bus stand to reach the temple.
The temple is also well-connected by road with other places in Kerala and South India. The devotees can drive their own vehicles or hire a car or a bike to reach the temple. The temple has ample parking space for the vehicles.
Nearby Places To Visit
Padmanabhaswamy Temple:
This is one of the most famous and richest temples in India, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is known for its magnificent architecture, gold-plated gopura, and secret vaults. The temple is about 2 km away from Attukal Temple.
Poovar Island:
This is a beautiful island resort, surrounded by backwaters, beaches, and forests. The island is ideal for relaxation, rejuvenation, and recreation. The island offers various activities such as boating, fishing, ayurvedic treatments, etc. The island is about 30 km away from Attukal Temple.
Kovalam Beach:
This is one of the most popular and scenic beaches in Kerala, known for its golden sand, blue water, and palm trees. The beach is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and other water sports. The beach also has many hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops for the tourists. The beach is about 15 km away from Attukal Temple.
Where to Stay Near Attukal Temple: Budget and Luxury Options
The Attukal Temple attracts millions of devotees every year, especially during the festival season. Therefore, finding a suitable accommodation near the temple can be a challenge for the visitors. However, there are some hotels and guest houses near the temple that offer comfortable and affordable accommodation and amenities for the devotees. Some of these are:
Safire Residency: This is a budget hotel near the temple that offers clean and cozy rooms with basic facilities such as TV, AC, Wi-Fi, etc. The hotel also has a restaurant that serves delicious vegetarian food. The hotel charges around Rs. 1000 per night for a double room.
O by Tamara: This is a luxury hotel near the temple that offers spacious and elegant rooms with modern amenities such as TV, AC, Wi-Fi, minibar, etc. The hotel also has a swimming pool, a gym, a spa, and a restaurant that serves multi-cuisine food. The hotel charges around Rs. 8000 per night for a double room.
Akhil Classic: This is a mid-range hotel near the temple that offers comfortable and stylish rooms with essential facilities such as TV, AC, Wi-Fi, etc. The hotel also has a conference hall, a banquet hall, and a restaurant that serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. The hotel charges around Rs. 3000 per night for a double room.
The Attukal Temple is one of the most sacred and spectacular temples in Kerala that attracts millions of women every year for its famous Pongala Festival. The temple is also known for its history, legend, significance, architecture, and social works. The temple is easily accessible by various modes of transport from different parts of Kerala and India.
The temple is also close to some of the popular attractions and places to visit in Trivandrum. The temple also has some hotels and guest houses near it that offer comfortable accommodation and amenities for the devotees.
If you are looking for a unique and spiritual experience in Kerala, you should visit the Attukal Temple and witness its glory and grace. You can also plan your trip to Kerala with Tripoto, which offers you the best deals on flights, hotels, packages, and activities. Tripoto also helps you to discover new places, share your stories, and connect with other travelers.
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We hope you enjoyed reading this article about the Attukal Temple in Trivandrum, Kerala, India. If you have any questions or feedback about this article or the temple or the festival or anything else related to Kerala tourism or travel in general please feel free to leave a comment below.
