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Attukal Bhagavathi: Women's festival attracts millions

         Thiruvananthapuram: Women in large numbers on Saturday made offerings of freshly cooked rice, coconut and jaggery to a Hindu deity, Attukal Devi. Thousands of them thronged the Attukal Devi, the reigning deity of the Bhagawathy temple here, to fulfil their wishes. "I have been coming for consecutive years and this is due to the blessings of Amma (Mother Goddess) here. I have also vowed to come here and offer prayers for the years to come," said Chippi, a Malayalam film actress. For many first timers, the occasion was overwhelming. "This is the first time I am coming for Pongala". I had wanted to come here last year also but unfortunately could not. This is my first "Pongala"," said Seena, a devotee. The prayer rituals begin with the lighting of the main hearth by the chief priest of the temple. Consequent fires are lit by passing the flame from one hearth to another. The annual festival attracts women devout irrespective of caste or creed to the women's-only temple. A six-kilometer radius around the temple was literally taken over by women devotees.
- March 3, 2007

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