Thiruvananthapuram came alive as lakhs of women participated in the annual Attukal Pongala festival, one of the world’s largest women-led religious gatherings. From early morning, women dressed in traditional attire set up small clay stoves along streets, alleys and open spaces around the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple to prepare ‘pongala’, a sweet dish of rice, jaggery and coconut offered to the goddess.
As the sun rose, the city was transformed into a sea of flames, prayers and the cheerful sounds of women chanting and sharing blessings. The ritual is deeply rooted in devotion, carrying wishes for peace, prosperity and family wellbeing. Many participants travel from distant towns and villages, making Pongala a collective celebration of faith, solidarity and feminine spiritual expression.
Volunteers and local authorities worked to ensure the event was safe and organised, arranging water points, first-aid stations and traffic support for the massive crowd. Children and elders took part alongside the devotees, turning the occasion into a multi-generational celebration.
Once the offerings were complete and prayers said, the focus shifted to cleaning up the vast area used for cooking. About 3,000 sanitation workers were deployed to clear leftover waste and debris. Separate teams collected the used clay bricks and stones from cooking stoves, which the local corporation plans to reuse in upcoming housing projects. Their efforts helped restore normalcy on city roads quickly after the festival.
Residents and volunteers praised the coordinated cleanup, noting it demonstrated community spirit beyond the religious ceremony itself.
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