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PM Modi Hails Attukal Pongala, A Festival Celebrating Women's Devotion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings for the Attukal Pongala festival, emphasizing its significance for women's strength and social harmony. The 10-day festival at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram witnessed massive participation from women devotees performing the Pongala ritual. Kerala's Leader of Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, described the event as the "real Kerala story," highlighting the state's secular ethos amid controversy surrounding a film. The festival, often called the "women's Sabarimala," entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2009 for the largest gathering of women.

Key Points: PM Modi Extends Attukal Pongala Wishes, Highlights Nari Shakti

  • PM Modi highlights women's strength
  • Festival sees lakhs of women devotees
  • Enters Guinness Book for largest women's gathering
  • Opposition leader calls it "real Kerala story"
  • Elaborate arrangements made in Thiruvananthapuram
2 min read

PM Modi extends Attukal Pongala wishes, says "This festival has a special importance for our Nari Shakti"

PM Narendra Modi greets devotees on Attukal Pongala, a women-centric festival in Kerala that holds a Guinness World Record for largest gathering.

"This festival has a special importance for our Nari Shakti. - Narendra Modi"

New Delhi, March 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended greetings on the occasion of Attukal Pongala, describing it as a festival that symbolises women's strength, harmony and collective devotion.

Taking to X, the Prime Minister wrote, "Warm wishes on the sacred occasion of Attukal Pongala. This festival has a special importance for our Nari Shakti. May this auspicious day bring prosperity and good health in everyone's lives. May the spirit of harmony and togetherness be furthered in society."

The Attukal Pongala, a 10-day festival held at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, witnessed lakhs of women devotees assembling across Thiruvananthapuram for the ritual offering on its ninth day. The highlight of the celebrations was the ceremonial lighting of the hearth, known as 'Pandara Aduppu,' marking the beginning of the Pongala ritual. Devotees prepared offerings of rice, jaggery and banana in earthen pots and presented them to Goddess Attukal Devi.

Meanwhile, Kerala MLA and Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan hailed Attukal Pongala 2026 as the "real Kerala story," underscoring the state's secular ethos. His remarks come amid controversy surrounding the film "The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond", which has sparked debate over the portrayal of Kerala.

"All the communities are the host for the devotees coming from various parts of Kerala. This is our legacy," Satheesan said. "This is the real Kerala Story, we must declare that the state is secular... After the elections, we will declare that this is secular Kerala," he added.

Popularly known as the "women's Sabarimala," the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple draws massive participation from women devotees each year. The festival entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2009 for the largest gathering of women, with an estimated 2.5 million participants.

Thiruvananthapuram Mayor VV Rajesh assured that elaborate arrangements had been made for the smooth conduct of the event. "The KSRTC has already deployed vehicles for the convenience of the people. There is no problem; everything is in place," he said, as the city witnessed an overwhelming spiritual turnout.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

V
Vikram M
While the PM's wishes are appreciated, I hope this recognition of Kerala's culture is consistent and not just around election time. The festival itself is a magnificent example of secular harmony, as the MLA rightly pointed out. That is the real story.
S
Sarah B
The scale of this festival is mind-blowing! 2.5 million women in one place for a ritual – that's a world record for a reason. The logistics must be incredible. Kudos to the city authorities for managing it.
R
Rohit P
"Women's Sabarimala" – what a powerful concept. It's great to see festivals that are predominantly for women getting national attention. Our traditions have always celebrated feminine divinity and strength.
K
Kavya N
My amma and chechi go every year. The feeling in Trivandrum during Pongala is electric. It's not just a religious event, it's a social one where the whole city comes together to support the devotees. True Kerala spirit!
D
David E
Interesting to see the political commentary woven into the reporting of the festival. The festival's message of harmony seems to stand in contrast to the divisive narratives some films promote. Food for thought.

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