Attukal Pongala 2026: A Celebration of Devotion, Sisterhood, Humanity, Unity & Feminine Spirit

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala each year plays host to one of its kind and powerful spiritual festivals in India which is popularly known as Attukal Pongala. Attukal Pongala 2026, is an exemplary festival where n number of females and women come together to offer pious ritual food to the Goddess Bhadrakali.

Date & Time of Attukal Pongala 2026 : When is it Happening

Attukal Pongala 2026 is the finale of a very grand ten-day observation, rather a festival which is celebrated at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The annual celebration happens as per the Malayalam month of Kumbham which is in the month of March or February. The date and timing is as follows:

Festival Start Day	23rd February, 2026
Festival Concluding Day	04th March, 2026
Attukal Pongala 2026 day	03rd March, 2026
Shubh Muhurat as per Pooram Nakshatra	7:31 AM on 3rd March, 2026 till 7:38 AM on 4th March,2026.

Aduppuvettu and nivedyam vary every year but the main event of cooking and offering sacred food is generally between mid-morning and early afternoon on the day of Attukal Pongala.

Attukal Pongala 2026 : A Glimpse Into its History

Attukal Pongala’s history dates back to blend of history and faith of the historical land of Kerala. Attukal Bhagavath an avatar of Maa Bhadrakali the fierce but motherly Goddess is the one to whom this festival is dedicated.

Attukal Bhagavath is symbolic of Kannaki, the main character of the famous Tamil epic Silappadikaram. Kannaki the main protagonist moved South after going through unjust behaviour, but her inner fury melted into tranquility at Attukal.

The literal meaning of Pongala is “to boil over” and it represents a devotees brimming love and faith towards Maa. The sacred food offer to Attukal Bhagavath comprises of rice, jaggery, coconut and other ingredients cooked in a firepit near the temple

Significance of Attukal Pongala 2026: A Divine Connection

Attukal Pongala 2026 is not just a festival but a celebration of womanhood, devotion, togetherness and religiousness.

Women as the focal

Women are the main participants and at the centre of it in Attukal Pongala 2026. Everything is done by women and men ave no involvement in any main rituals. Thus it is also known as “Sabarimala for Women” standing for women empowerment and leadership.

An International Congregation

Attukal Pongala is recognized as the largest annual congregation of women for a religious event anywhere in the world. This has earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records when over 4 million women attended it. The festival spans all over Thiruvananthapuram to as far as eight kilometers from the temple.

Religious and societal angle

• Soul Satisfaction: It is believed that Pongala pleases Attukal Bhagavathy and peace, happiness and wealth spreads everywhere.
• Social cohesion: Attukal Pongala 2026 goes beyond religion and geographical boundaries and sees immense participation from everyone and Kerala welcomes everyone with open arms.
• Collective pride: Sisterhood prevails and leads and everyone participates whole heartedly and happily.

Celebration Styles of Attukal Pongala 2026: A purview

The celebration of Attukal Pongala 2026 entails:

Ritual Preparations

• Kappukettu: On the festival’s first day, the temple deity’s idol is bejewelled with sacred embellishments.
• Thottampattu: Traditional folk recitation of mythology and devotional songs continue throughout the whole period of ten days.

The Pongala Day

On March 3, millions of women set up three-brick hearths on streets and open spaces, placing earthen or metal pots filled with rice, jaggery, coconut and spices.

The fire for cooking is lit using the sacred flame from the temple’s Pandara Aduppu — the central hearth — symbolically linking every offering to the goddess’s divine presence.

Blessings & Blessings

As the offerings cook, temple priests circulate among the devotees, sprinkling holy water and flower petals to cleanse one’s body and soul.

Final Thoughts

Attukal Pongala 2026 is not just a festival but a beautiful global tradition. In 2026, as every year, Attukal Pongala remains a testament to the beauty of spiritual unity and feminine devotion. If possible, atleast once everyone should visit Thiruvananthapuram in Kerela to witness this sacred tradition which was so ahead of its times since time immemorial.