Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
ആറ്റുകാൽ ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം
Known as ‘the Sabarimala for women,’ where millions of women cook rice porridge in the streets each year during the Pongala festival, a feat recognised by the Guinness World Records
Attukal Temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhagavathy and lies about 2 km south of the old city. On ordinary days, it is an ornate Kerala-style temple. It is best known for the Attukal Pongala festival, held each year in February or March. On the day of the festival, millions of women cook sweet rice porridge over firewood in clay pots along streets stretching more than 10 km from the temple, offering it to the goddess. In 2009, it was recorded in the Guinness World Records as the largest annual gathering of women for a religious purpose in a single day. During the festival, traffic is controlled and accommodation is scarce, so plan ahead. Only Hindus may enter the inner sanctum.
Opening hours
Approx. 04:30–12:30 and 17:00–20:30
Nearby sights
- Kuthiramalika Palace
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Beemapally Mosque
- Napier Museum & Sree Chitra Art Gallery
- Kanakakkunnu Palace
- Thiruvananthapuram Zoo
- Shanghumugham Beach
- Vellayani Lake