Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is a Goddess temple near the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, about 2 km from the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The Goddess is identified with Bhadrakali, and also with Kannagi, the heroine of the epic Cilappatikaram. The temple is renowned for the annual Attukal Pongala, a festival in which millions of women cook the offering (pongala) in the streets around the temple. It is often called the largest gathering of women for a religious activity in the world.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of Attukal Amma, the Goddess of the temple
- See the colourful gopurams and the shrines in the courtyard
- Learn about the Attukal Pongala, the great women's festival
- Visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, 2 km away, on the same day
Ideal for
- Devotees of the Goddess, and women pilgrims in particular
- Visitors to Thiruvananthapuram who want a lively local temple
- Families who also want to see the Pongala festival, in season
Good to know
- Timings are not confirmed, so check locally
- The Pongala festival falls in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February to March), and the city is extremely crowded then
- Dress modestly, in traditional clothes where possible, and check the rules at the gate
- Phone and camera rules vary, so ask at the entrance
- Allow about 1 hour
Spiritual significance
Attukal is the people's temple of Thiruvananthapuram, loved by women across Kerala. The Pongala has made it known around the world.
Why it matters
- A Goddess temple: the Goddess is identified with Bhadrakali and Kannagi
- The Attukal Pongala: millions of women gather to cook the offering
- Close to Padmanabhaswamy: easy to combine on one day