Karikkakom Pongala is observed at the Sri Chamundi Temple located
in Thiruvananthapuram. The annual Pongala festival in the temple is observed on
the Makam Nakshatram in Meenam month. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Chamundi
form of Goddess Shakti. Karikkakom Pongala 2024 date is March 22. The shrine is
located off the NH47 bypass road and is around 7 km from Trivandrum town.
Without any persuasion or advertisement, women from all walks of life assemble in the Indian southern city of Trivandrum in Kerala on the day. There only aim is peace and prosperity with the blessings of Karikkathu Amma. Thousands of women cooking for the Mother Goddess - who as Annapurna is the provider of food for all living beings - is a sort of thanksgiving for keeping her children nourished.
Religious fervor, discipline, gratitude and the desire to help each other on the day by the people of the region is praiseworthy.
Pongala ritual comprises of preparing ‘prasad’ for the deity outside the shrine. Women cook rice and jaggery in earthen pots and they offer it to the Goddess. They also cook different type of sweet dishes using rice powder and jaggery. Coconut tree fronds are used to cook the ‘prasad.’
Without any persuasion or advertisement, women from all walks of life assemble in the Indian southern city of Trivandrum in Kerala on the day. There only aim is peace and prosperity with the blessings of Karikkathu Amma. Thousands of women cooking for the Mother Goddess - who as Annapurna is the provider of food for all living beings - is a sort of thanksgiving for keeping her children nourished.
Religious fervor, discipline, gratitude and the desire to help each other on the day by the people of the region is praiseworthy.
Pongala ritual comprises of preparing ‘prasad’ for the deity outside the shrine. Women cook rice and jaggery in earthen pots and they offer it to the Goddess. They also cook different type of sweet dishes using rice powder and jaggery. Coconut tree fronds are used to cook the ‘prasad.’
The temple is decorated during the period with lights, lamp,
plantain, coconut fronds, flowers etc.
Holy fire from the temple is taken out to start the fire for
cooking Pongala.
Before 1997, the temple was opened to devotees only on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Today the temple is open on all days.
People who have committed sin get redemption after offering prayers here. In ancient times, the temple was a place where justice was delivered and punishments meted out.
Before 1997, the temple was opened to devotees only on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Today the temple is open on all days.
People who have committed sin get redemption after offering prayers here. In ancient times, the temple was a place where justice was delivered and punishments meted out.