Attukal Pongala draws lakhs of women devotees to Thiruvananthapuram on 3 March 2026
Attukal Pongala, the ritual offering by women devotees to the deity of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, was held across Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 3 March 2026, with the main hearth lit at 9.45 am.
Summary
Attukal Pongala was held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 3 March 2026, the penultimate day of the 10-day festival at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The main hearth (pandara aduppu) in front of the temple was lit at 9.45 am, after which lakhs of women devotees lit their own hearths along city roads and in public spaces to cook pongala, a sweet offering of rice and jaggery, and priests sprinkled holy water on the offerings at 2.15 pm. The Hindu reported that churches, mosques and residents opened their premises to devotees, and the Times of India reported that devotee lines stretched nearly 10 km to Mannanthala, with the temple trust calling it the largest turnout since the pandemic. Because of the lunar eclipse that day, the sanctum was closed from 3.10 pm to 7 pm.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 3 March 2026, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
- Festival
- 10-day; Pongala on the penultimate day
- Main hearth
- Lit at 9.45 am
- Nivedyam
- 2.15 pm
- Turnout
- Lakhs of women; largest since the pandemic (temple trust, via TOI)
- Eclipse
- Sanctum closed 3.10–7 pm
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Attukal Pongala, held on 3 March 2026, takes place in which city?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Thiruvananthapuram
Attukal Pongala is offered by women devotees to the deity of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Why was the sanctum of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple closed from 3.10 pm to 7 pm on 3 March 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — A lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse fell on the same day, so the sanctum closed after the Pongala rituals and reopened at 7 pm.