The Temple of Attukal Bhagavathy is a holy Hindu shrine at Attukal in Kerala, India. In this temple, Goddess Bhadrakali, perched above 'vethala,' is the principal deity. Bhadrakali, a form of Mahakali, who killed the demon king Daruka, believed to have been born from Lord Shiva's third eye.
'Ponkala' is Attukal Bhagavathy Temple's most important festival. Ponkala's offering is a very common temple tradition in the southern part of Kerala. The ten-day-long celebration starts at the Karthika star in Makaram-Kumbham's Malayalam month (Feb-March). Ponkala ceremony is coinciding with full moon on the auspicious day of Pooram star. The festival ends with the musical rendering of the Goddess tale (Kannaki Charitam) at the "Kappukettu" ceremony. The tale invokes Kodungallur Bhagavathy's involvement, and the Pandyan King's killing. The song goes on for all the nine days that followed Ponkala. The occurrence of the Goddess annihilating the Pandyan King is accompanied by a great deal of sound and fury from the temple drums and "Vaykurava" by devotees, followed immediately by the lighting of the hearths to prepare the offering for the Goddess.
This festival commemorates Good's victory over Evil, by killing Pandyan King. An atmosphere of joy and festivity prevails during the festival and there are solemn observances in the temple premises such as daily conduct of Bhajans, musical concerts, ballets depicting folk and temple arts etc. It is representative of the religion that all of its disquisitions are so minutely interwoven with human and divine affairs. A fun experience is provided by the processions of colorful floats of the deity from all around, carried with pomp and devotion by the devotees gathering in the temple premises.
'Ponkala' is Attukal Bhagavathy Temple's most important festival. Ponkala's offering is a very common temple tradition in the southern part of Kerala. The ten-day-long celebration starts at the Karthika star in Makaram-Kumbham's Malayalam month (Feb-March). Ponkala ceremony is coinciding with full moon on the auspicious day of Pooram star. The festival ends with the musical rendering of the Goddess tale (Kannaki Charitam) at the "Kappukettu" ceremony. The tale invokes Kodungallur Bhagavathy's involvement, and the Pandyan King's killing. The song goes on for all the nine days that followed Ponkala. The occurrence of the Goddess annihilating the Pandyan King is accompanied by a great deal of sound and fury from the temple drums and "Vaykurava" by devotees, followed immediately by the lighting of the hearths to prepare the offering for the Goddess.
This festival commemorates Good's victory over Evil, by killing Pandyan King. An atmosphere of joy and festivity prevails during the festival and there are solemn observances in the temple premises such as daily conduct of Bhajans, musical concerts, ballets depicting folk and temple arts etc. It is representative of the religion that all of its disquisitions are so minutely interwoven with human and divine affairs. A fun experience is provided by the processions of colorful floats of the deity from all around, carried with pomp and devotion by the devotees gathering in the temple premises.