Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

The Attukal Bhagavathy temple also known as the Sabarimala of Woman is a small temple located in the city of Trivandrum. This temple is situated 2 kilometers to the southeast of Padmanabhaswamy temple. It holds a very special position among the ancient temples in Kerala. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Attukal Devi (Parvathi Devi), the supreme power who is believed to be the supreme preserver and destroyer, and capable of delivering all the wishes to her devotees.

The most famous festival celebrated here is the Attukal Pongala, which lasts for 10 days, and starts with the musical recitation of the Goddess’s (Parvathi) story and ends with the part of the Goddess and defeating the Pandya King. The story signifies the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and justice over injustice, and at the end of the recitation, the rituals for Attukal Pongala begin with making a fire in the temple hearth. The fire will then be passed to the women ready to offer pongala(rice cooked with jaggery, ghee, coconut as well as other ingredients) and the same fire spreads to all the tens of thousands of women, who are present there to offer pongala to the Goddess and seek her blessings.

The rush of women is so intense that the Pongala ground spreads outside the temple premises and into the public roads, and the courtyards of houses, government offices, bus and train stations, etc... During the festival, Kuthiyottam performed by boys below the age of 13 years, and Thalappoli is performed by the girls on the ninth day. The traditional dressing of young girls is a major attraction that holds a Thaalam with flowers, a lighted oil lamp, and offerings to the Goddess Attukal Amma.

History of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

The story behind the history of this temple is quite an interesting one. The story revolves around an ardent devotee of Goddess Bhagavathy, Kannagi. Once, Kannagi was on her way to Kodungallur and Attukal fell in her route. When she reached Attukal, she found the Killi river blocking her way. As Kannagi was trying to figure out how to cross the river, she found an old man performing religious rituals at the banks of the river.

This man was none other than the head of the Mulluveetil family, an influential family in the city. Kannagi knew that he could help her and so, she transformed into a little girl and asked the old man to help her cross the river.

The Karanavar (head of the family) was taken aback by the charisma, charm, and glow of the little girl. He at once knew that this was no ordinary child. He willingly took the girl to the other side and requested her to grace his humble abode. The entire family started preparing to give Kannagi a grand welcome. However, the little girl disappeared before they could receive her and left everyone disappointed and perplexed.

That night, Kannagi arrived in the Karanavar's dream and asked him to build her an abode close by the grove, or as they called it, Kavu. She informed him that when he visits that location, he will find three gold lines in the spot she wants her abode built in; and to Karanavar's surprise, he found the gold lines exactly where she had pointed! The Karanavar did not waste any time in starting this holy project and within no time, had erected what is now the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple.

Architecture of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

The architecture of the Attukal temple has components of both Kerala and Tamil architecture methods. The exteriors of the temple are carved with hundreds of sculptures of gods, goddesses, the stories of Dasavataram of Lord Vishnu, Dakshayaga and Goddess Kannagi.

The major construction also depicts Goddess Kali, Sree Parvathy, Lord Siva and Rajarajeshwari. The Gopura is covered by such idols, which certainly are a work of a group of artisans under the authority of an able sculptor. The temple doorways and interior corridors furthermore have several sculptures of Gods like Lord Ganapathi and Lord Siva.

Festivals Celebrated at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Attukal Pongala Festival
Attukal Pongala is the most reputed festivals of this temple, which attracts devotees from all regions of India. Thousands of women devotees throng simultaneously on the day of Pongala with their offerings to the Goddess and to request blessings. The carnival commences on Karthika day of Malayalam month Makaram-Kumbham.

Kuthiyottam Festival
Kuthiyottam is a ceremonial performed by boys under the age of 13 years on the pongala day. These young men observe a seven-day Kuthiyotta Vritham, beginning the third day of the festival. The penance includes residing at the temple, dozing on the floor, bathing three times a day and firm diet limits. The young men also have to bow before the Goddess 1008 times, after forenoon and night oblations. These boys represent the wounded soldiers of Goddess Mahishasura Mardini.