Trivandrum's own Pongala fetivities - Mankulam Parasakthi Temple

Offering Pongala to the deities is unique to Trivandrum, which has now, spread to other parts of Kerala. Here are some of the photographs of the Pongala festival held at the Mankulam Shri Parasakthi Temple, Pattom, Trivandrum.

Thottam Pattu  (the ritualistic songs which elaborate the legends related to the deities)

Frontage of the temple

Traffic on the T.K.D Road

Pongala

A devotee (my mother) adding ingredients to the Pongala payasam.

Golden flag staff of the temple

Photographs: Jothish Nair

Attukal Pongala

Attukal Pongala is an annual congregation of women to offer Pongala at the Attukal temple and in the city of Trivandrum- an offering of boiled rice in earthern pot - during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March). Attukal Pongala has become a symbol of devotion and dedication to Devi, the Mother goddess and above all a celebration of womanhood.

Photographs by Rajesh Kumar and Jothish Nair