Photo credits: Vishnu

Attukal Pongala is the most important festival of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, and once was entered into the World Records for the largest gathering of women at a festival in the world. It is popularly referred to as the Sabarimala of women.

On festival day, Attukal Temple is overflowing with women, and devotees across the city can also be found with their makeshift brick stoves and earthen pots, cooking their offerings. Payasam (a sweet dish), banana and rice are all parts of these offerings.