Pongala is a significant ritual in Hindu temples dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti – Bhagavathi or Devi in Kerala, India. The word "Pongala" in Malayalam means "to boil over" or "spill over." The ritual involves the preparation of a special offering called "Pongala" by women devotees. This offering is a sweet dish made of rice, jaggery, coconut, and ghee, and it is cooked in earthen pots. The ingredients are mixed together, and the cooking is done by placing the pots on makeshift brick stoves.
The Pongala festival is mainly associated with the Attukal
Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, which holds the Guinness World
Record for the largest gathering of women for a single religious event.
However, the Pongala ritual is also observed in various other temples across
Kerala.
The festival usually takes place during the Malayalam month
of Kumbham (February-March) and attracts a large number of female devotees. The
uniqueness of the Pongala ritual lies in the fact that women, irrespective of
caste, creed, or religion, participate in it with deep devotion. They prepare
the Pongala offering in the open, along the roadsides, and in temple premises.
The belief is that the Pongala offering, once it reaches a
certain level of cooking, is considered as an offering to the presiding deity
of the temple. The cooked Pongala is then taken to the temple and offered to
the deity, seeking blessings for the well-being of the family and other
personal wishes. The entire process is accompanied by traditional rituals,
prayers, and cultural programs.
The Pongala festival is known for promoting a sense of unity
and social harmony, as women from various backgrounds come together to
participate in the ritual. It is a unique cultural and religious event that
showcases the rich tradition and diversity of Kerala.