Thiruvananthapuram ready for Attukal Pongala tomorrow: Timings, traffic restrictions, parking spots

The streets in the vicinity of the Attukal Bhagavathy temple are erupting with festivities as the festival is to be held tomorrow. Devotees have been pouring in from all over the state to offer pongala. The temple premises, as well as both sides of the roads stretching kilometres away, would be lined with makeshift stoves upon which boil the special delicacies to be offered to the Goddess. 

The police have imposed strict traffic rules in the city tomorrow. KSRTC has scheduled special bus services to various directions for the devotees. Besides, the employees of the corporation and the municipality will ensure that the streets remain clean and hygienic. 

Pongala and lunar eclipse
In a rare coincidence, the Attukal pongala and the lunar eclipse fall on the same day this year. So, special arrangements and time schedules have been made for the pongala rituals, nadathurakkal, darhan and puja. Besides, the temple authorities have issued directives and instructions for darshan. The Santum Sanctorum would be closed between 3.10 pm and 7 pm. Girls who are participating in the Thalapoli procession should reach the temple before 1.30 pm. As the time for darshan will be less tomorrow, it is likely to be extended today. 

Main ceremonies on March 3, Tuesday
9.45 am - Aduppuvettu ceremony, Pongala
2.15 pm - Pongala Nivedyam ceremony
8.30 pm - Kuthiyottam, Chooralkuthu ceremonies

Devotees should note the following points
1. Drink water at regular intervals, even if you are not thirsty, as the body might get dehydrated easily in the hot weather.
2. Move to a shade if you feel exhausted, have a headache or experience shortness of breath and seek medical help immediately.
3. Wear thin cotton outfits; cover your head using hats or a shawl.

4. Drink only purified or boiled water. 
5. Eating fruits that are rich in water content, like watermelon, will prevent dehydration. 
6. Use ice that has been made using purified drinking water in cool drinks. 
7. Wash your face, hands and legs at regular intervals

8. Do not let children stand near the stove; give them water to drink at proper intervals. 
9. Do not forget to take your regular medicines. Carry the prescription for the medicines with you. 
10. Try to avoid burns. 
11. After the pongala offering, make sure to douse the fire in the stove using water. 

Traffic regulations
Strict traffic restrictions would be in place in the city from 1 pm today until 8 pm tomorrow. 
1)Big vehicles, including goods vehicles and trucks, coming from the Attingal side should take the bypass from Kazhakoottam and go via Sreekaryam – Pattam – Vazhuthacaud – Poojappura. 
2) Vehicles coming from the Peroorkada side should take the Oolanpara – Shasthamangalam – Edapazhanji – Poojappura route.

3) Vehicles arriving from Venjaramoodu should take the Kesavadasapuram – Pattam – Vazhuthacaud – Poojappura route.
4) Vehicles going from Neyyattinkara to Kazhakootam should take the Balaramapuram – Vizhinjam – NH Bypass. 

Bus arrangements
Arrangements would be made for the arrival and departure of long-distance bus services (reservation) from the Thiruvananthapuram Central bus stand. Mid-distance Fast Passenger buses would be parked from Palayam Junction to Panavila. After the pongala offering ritual is complete, buses will be allowed to move from Panavila to the Thiruvananthapuram central unit, depending upon the crowd at the central bus stand. Passengers going to the airport should leave early and take the coastal roads. Parking would be allowed only in the allotted spots. 

Parking spots
•Right side of the road from Karamana Kalpalayam to Nirumankara petrol pump
•Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Iranimuttam
•Research Centre, Iranimuttam
•Government High School, Kalady

•Manjalikkulam ground
•Parking ground of Valiappalli
•Chirapalam ground
•NSS College ground, Nirumankara
•Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering, Pappanamcode

•BSNL quarters compound, Kaimanam
•Darshana Auditorium, Pappanamcode
•Sree Ragam Auditorium ground, Pappaamcode
•Victory GHSS, Nemon
•Government High School, Punnamoodu
•Pappanamcode Estate

•BNV School, Thiruvallam
•Thiruvallam bypass road parking ground – 1
•Thiruvallam bypass road parking ground – 2
•SFS School, Kalluvettankuzhi
•Mayamkunnu, Kovalam beach

•VPS Malankara HSS, Venganoor cricket ground
•St. Mary’s HS, Kottappuram
•Sree Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thycaud
•Poojappura ground
•LBS Institute of Technology ground, Poojappura
•PTC ground, Vazhuthacaud
•Tagore theatre compound

•Salvation Army High School, Kowdiar
•Office of the University of Kerala
•Government College for Women, Vazhuthacaud
•St Joseph’s HSS ground
•Jimmy George Stadium compound, Vellayambalam