Devotees getting ready for the Pongala at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.
| Photo Credit: S. MAHINSHA
Tens of hundreds of ladies are anticipated to make the annual pongala providing to the presiding deity of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple on Tuesday because the mammoth ritual returns to the State capital in its full scale after a pandemic-induced break.
The 2021 and 2022 editions of the Attukal Pongala, identified for its report assemblage of ladies devotees, have been muted affairs. COVID-19 had compelled ladies to make the providing from the security of their houses, and the providing on the Attukal temple itself was restricted to the ‘Pandara Aduppu’ – the principle fireside.
With the specter of the pandemic receding, devotees are anticipated to be out in full power on Tuesday. In the quick neighbourhood of the temple and huge sections of town, footpath spots had been booked days prematurely by inserting bricks, items of string and small slips of paper with names printed on them because the attendance was anticipated to be unusually giant this 12 months.
Armed with cooking utensils and firewood, the ladies began occupying the areas on Monday braving the glare of the summer time solar. Devotional music blared from loudspeaker stacks positioned at metropolis junctions.
Thousands of devotees ready for the darshan on the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
S. MAHINSHA
On Tuesday, the ritual will begin with the lighting of the temple hearths at 10.30 a.m. The sanctification ritual, which marks the top of the providing, will be held at 2.30 p.m., in accordance to the temple belief.
Green protocol
The authorities and the district administration have made intensive preparations for the graceful organisation of the competition. The State Pollution Control Board has urged devotees to respect the inexperienced protocol. As a part of guaranteeing the security of the meals distributed to devotees, the City Corporation had stipulated prior registration for meals donors.
The Fire and Rescue Services division has issued instructions for stopping fire-related mishaps through the occasion. Devotees have additionally been suggested to fully douse the makeshift brick ovens earlier than they go away.
The Kerala Water Authority and the City Corporation have additionally made preparations for extra water provide. In the ‘Pongala zone’ alone 1350 short-term faucets and 50 showers have been put in.
Women shopping for earthern pots for the Attukal Pongala providing in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
S. MAHINSHA
Security has been tightened in and across the metropolis for the occasion. As many as 3,840 police personnel, together with these from neighbouring districts, have been deployed, the police division stated. Nearly a 3rd of the whole deployment are ladies. The focus will be on crowd administration and crime surveillance. The police have opened a fundamental management room close to the temple. The Pollution Control Board has additionally made preparations to monitor the air high quality as a part of the efforts to hold the occasion environment-friendly.
Police monitoring CCTV visuals of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple and surrounding areas on the police management room arrange at Attukal, in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
S. MAHINSHA
The ten-day competition on the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, which celebrates the victory of excellent over evil, started on February 27 with the ‘Kappuketti Kudiyiruthal.’ This 12 months’s festivities will finish within the early hours of Thursday.
