Attukal Pongala fest begins on March 5: Actor Jayaram to lead pancharimelam; detailed programme schedule

Thiruvananthapuram: The iconic annual Pongala festival at the Attukal Bhagavathi Temple, which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of women for a religious festival, begins on March 5. The festivities begin with the Kappuketti Kudiyiruthal ritual at 10 am. Meanwhile, the aduppuvettu ritual starts at 10.15 am on March 13, the main festival day. The pongala nivedyam would follow this at 1.15 pm. The idol of the Goddess would be taken inside the sanctum sanctorum at 8 am on March 14, and the Kappazhikkal ritual is at 10 am. The annual festival ends with the Kuruthi Tharpanam at 1 am. Temple officials said the arrangements for the festival have been completed.

The offerings for the kithiyottam ritual will be held at 9.15 am on March 7. Meanwhile, devotees can enjoy cultural programs at the Amba and Ambika auditoriums on all days from 5 am onwards. Actress Namitha Pramod will inaugurate the cultural event at 6 pm on March 5. The Amba will be presented to noted musician Dr. K Omanakutty. The mega pancharimelam of 101 percussion artists, led by actor Jayaram, will be held in front of the temple at 6 pm on March 9.

Regulation for loudspeakers
Sub collector OV Alfred stated that the police should obtain prior permission to use loudspeakers during the Attukala Pongala festival. He added that the sound produced by the speakers or the noise level in the area shouldn’t exceed 10 decibels above the ambient noise standards. The ambient noise standards allowed in each zone during the day and night are as follows: Industrial zone: 75 – 75, business zone: 65 – 55, residential zone: 65 – 55, and silent zone: 50 – 40.

Detailed programme schedule
March 5
4.30 am – Palliyunarthal
5 am – Nirmalya Darshanam
5.30 am – Abishekam
6.05 am – Deeparadhana
6.40 am – Usha pooja, Deeparadhana
6.50 am – Usha Sreeebali
7.15 am – Kalakabishekam
8.30 am – Pantheeradi pooja, Deeparadhana
8.45 am – Laksharchana
11.30 am – Ucha Pooja
12.30 pm – Ucha Sreebali
6.45 pm – Deeparadhana
7.15 pm – Bhagavathi Seva
9 pm – Athazha Pooja
9.15 pm – Deeparadhana
9.30 pm – Athazha Sreebali
12 am – Deeparadhana
1 am – Nada Adakkal
Amba auditorium
8 pm – Concert of Malavika Sunder
10 pm – Agni 3 mega show by Soorya Stage and Film Society

March 6
No change in pooja timings
Amba auditorium
10 pm – Madhura Sangeetha Rathri program presented by Jayaraj Warrier and Kallara Gopan

March 7
6 pm – Musical program presented by ADGP S Sreejith and party
10 pm – Concert by noted playback singer Dr. Mano
March 8
8 pm – Galaxy Live music band performance by Kochi Flying Elephants
10 pm – Musical program by the contestants of Top Singers

March 9
10 pm – Mega band event led by famous playback singer Harishankar
March 10
8 pm – Ganamela (orchestra) by P Biju and party
10 pm – Folk songs by Soul of Music led by Athul Narukara
March 11
7 am – Palliyunarthal
7.30 am – Nirmalya Darshanam
7.45 am – Abhishekam
8.15 am – Deeparadhana
8.40 am – Usha Pooja, Deeparadhana
8.50 am – Usha Sreebali
9.15 am – Kalakabhishekam
10.30 am – Pantheeradi Pooja, Deeparadhana
11.15 am – Ayilya Pooja, Noorum Paalum offering for Naagar
12 pm – Ucha Pooja
12.30 pm – Deeparadhana
7.15 pm – Bhagavathy Seva
9 pm – Athazha Pooja
9.15 pm – Deepardahana
9.30 pm – Athazha Sreebali
12 am – Deeparadhana
1 am – Nada Adakkal
7 pm – Rock band performance by musician Rajesh Vijay
Mega show Thala Melam presented by cine artists Padmapriya and Priyanka Nair.

March 13
4.30 am – Palliyunarthal
5 am – Nirmalya Darshanam
5.30 am – Abhishekam
6.05 am – Deeparadhana
6.40 am – Usha Pooja, Deeparadhana
6.50 am – Usha Sreebali
7.15 am – Kalakabhishekam
8.30 am – Pantheeradi Pooja, Deeparadhana
9.45 am – Shudha Punyaham
10.10 am – Aduppuvettu, Pongala ritual begins
1.15 pm – Ucha Pooja, Pongala Nivedyam, Deeparadhana
1.45 pm – Usha Sreebali, Ucha Sreebali
6.45 pm – Deeparadhana
7.45 pm – Kuthiyottam, Chooralkuthu
11.15 pm - Purathezhunnalethu