Sarva Mangala Mangalie
Sive Sarvardha Sadhike Saraneye Thrambike Gowri Narayani Nomo sthuthe"
ORIGIN & HISTORY
Mythological Background
The story goes that the Goddess Bhagavathy revealed herself to a fervent devotee of a notable family viz. Mulluveettil family. It is said that one evening a young girl appeared before the head of the family while he was performing his oblations in the Killi river and requested him to help her cross the river. Impressed by her charismatic demeanor, the- old man bent before her with awe and reverence and not only helped her cross the river but took her to his house nearby. Strangely enough, while the household members were amidst preparations for intending a warm welcome to the young girl, she vanished. That very night the Goddess Bhagavathy appeared as an icon before the old man in his dream and demanded that he should establish an abode for her in the nearby sacred ground of shrubs and herbs (kavu), at a consecrated spot marked by three lines. The next morning the old man went to the spot revealed to him in the dream and to his great surprise he did find three marks indented on the ground. He lost no time in erecting a temple on this consecrated spot to house the Goddess. Many years later, the building was renovated by the local devotees. They also installed a beautiful and majestic icon of the Deity with four arms, bearing weapons of destruction in each, like spear, sword, skull, shield etc. The consecration ceremony of this Exalted Being was performed by no less a person than the high priest of the Badarinath Temple.
The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one of the ancient temples of South India, is popularly described as Sabarimala of the Women, as women form the major portion of devotees. The Goddess in the temple of Attukal is worshipped as the Supreme Mother, creator of all living beings and the mighty preserver as well as destroyer of them all. The pilgrims from all over the country, who visit Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple and worship the Lord, do not consider their visits complete without the visit to the shrine of the supreme Mother Attukalamma. Vishnumaya took the incarnation of Bhagavathy to annihilate the evil and protect the good in the world in the present Era namely Kaliyuga.According to mythology, Attukal Bhagavathy is supposed to be the divinised form of Kannaki, the famous heroine of Chilapathikaram, written by Elenkovadikal, the Tamil Poet. The story goes that after the destruction of ancient city of Madurai, Kannaki left the city and reached Kerala via Kanyakumari and on the way to Kodungalloor took a sojourn at Attukal. Kannaki is supposed to be the incarnation of Parvathy, the consort of Paramasiva. The all powerful and benign Attukal Bhagavathy reigns eternally supreme at Attukal and nurses devotees as a mother does her children. Thousands of devotees from far and near flock to the Temple to bend before the Goddess with awe and reverence to prostrate and redress their affliction and agony.
The Pongala Mahotsavam is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The offering of Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamilnadu. It is a ten-day programme commencing on the Karthika star of the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (February-March) and closing with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night. On the ninth day of the festival the world famous Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam takes place. The entire area of about 5 kilometre radius around temple with premises of houses of people of all caste, creed and religion, open fields, roads, commercial institutions, premises of Government offices etc. emerges as a consecrated ground for observing Pongala rituals for lakhs of women devotees assembling from different parts of Kerala and outside. The ceremony is exclusively confined to women folk and the enormous crowd, which gathers in Thiruvananthapuram on this auspicious day is reminiscent of the Kumbhamela Festival of North India.
Incarnation of Goddess
India has ever been the holy land of gods and goddesses. Since ages past, men and women kings and emperors, saints and sages here were worshipping the Lord not only as the omnipotent and absolute 'one' but also as the 'one' whose manifestations are varied and manifold and who possesses different names, forms and divine attributes. Thus Almighty the Eternal God was worshipped in different forms such as Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, and their consorts; representing specific divine attributes of the Lord. Ancient puranas have described that Siva and Sakthi were simultaneously worshipped from the period of Aryans and Dravidians. Vishnumaya took the incarnation of Bhagavathy to annihilate evil and protect the good in this world. She grants every wish of Her devotees and resides in their hearts in multifarious forms.
Story of Kannaki
According to mythology, Attukal Bhagavathy is supposed to be the divinised form of "Kannaki", the famous heroine of Chilappatikaram, the sangham work of Tamil Literature written by ilamkovadikal. After the destruction of the ancient city of Madurai, Kannaki left that city and reached Kerala via Kanyakumari and on her way to Kodungalloor took a sojourn at Attukal. The hymns of the "Thottampattu ) sung during the annual temple festival, are based on the story of Kannaki. Moreover, architectural depictions of Goddess Kannaki seen on the Gopuram temple substantiate this mythology. Small wonder then. that, Sri. Vidyadhiraja Chattambi Swamy, the well known saint of Kerala, found this temple premises ideal for his meditations. And there are so many stories which prove the greatness of the Goddess and which attract thousands of devotees to the temple.
Aesthetics of Architecture
Anyone visiting the Attukal temple is first struck by the beauty and charm of the temple architecture. The temple structure is a harmonious conglomeration of both Kerala and Tamil styles of architecture. The beautifully carved figures of Mahishasuramarddini, Goddess Kali, Rajarajeswari, Sree Parvathy with Lord Paramasiva and various other depictions of the Goddess in and around the temple are undoubtedly the work of a gifted artist. Equally well presented around the corridors surrounding the temple, are the depiction of various other Gods and the epic stories of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu viz., the "Desavathara". On either side of the elegant front gopura - are the icons based on the story of Goddess Kannaki. On the southern Gopura, the puranic story of "Dakshayaga" is depicted in sculptures. The decorated gate at the entrance of the temple is by itself an excellent example of architectural beauty.There are two idols of the Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum. The original idol is preserved in all its pristine beauty covered in ornamental gold embedded with installed stones. The second idol of the Goddess is installed besides the original one. Within the temple corridors are also installed carvings and sculptures of Lord Ganesan, the serpent God and Lord Shiva. At the centre of the Sanctum within the Sreekovil, at a consecrated spot is installed the idol of the Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy emanating light and lustre to all.
Divine Gold Lockets
Divine Gold Lockets with the prathishta image of the Devi on one side and the imprint of Sudarsana Chakra on the other, are now issued to the devotees from the temple counter. This moderately priced pendant, which can be worn by men, women and children of all ages, at all times, is a talisman of safety and prosperity. Arrangement has also been made to send the lockets by post.
ACTIVITIES
The temple is governed by a registered body viz. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust. Ever since the trust commenced its administration, there has been considerable improvement and development in the temple. The renovation of the temple, improvement of the roads leading to the temple, expansion of areas for Ponkala, provision of facilities for the devotees to worship in the temple etc. have all been undertaken by the Trust. The newly constructed Gopuram ornamental gate in front of the temple and the southern Gopuram are richly decorated with visuals depicting the might acts of the Gods and Goddesses. A portion of the gold received as offering from the devotees has been utilised for making 'anki' to adorn the Deity. The Trust has also constructed a temple to perpetuate the memory of Chattambi Swamikal a great saint of modern Kerala and daily offerings poojas, prayers, bhajana etc. are held to his glory. In addition to the effective administration of the Temple, many other public utility services are also undertaken by the Trust. The construction of the auditorium, North and south Gopurams, rooms to accommodate devotees, Thidappally and Dhyanamandapam, purchase of land for the expansion of temple premises, all come under the activities of the Trust. Several welfare activities for the benefit of the devotees have been initiated. A medical centre and an engineering unit are presently being run by the Trust. A hospital building is under construction. For the convenience of devotees, two luxury coaches and an ambulance have been provided. With the construction of a second auditorium for performing marriages, the facilities for the devotees have further increased. Gold lockets with the image of Attukal Bhagavathy have been made available for sale. There is also a publication wing under the Trust to collect, develop and bring out religious literature.
A religious and spiritual magazine entitled "Amba Prasadam" has been started from October 1999 and it is being widely received by the devotees and the public at large. The cost of the publication is Rs. 10 /- per copy and annual subscription is Rs. 100 /- inclusive of postage in India. For overseas subscribers, the annual rate of subscription for sending it by Air Mail is Rs.500 /-. The subscription may be sent by demand dmft drawn in favour of "The Secretary, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust" payable at any bank having its branch office in Thiruvananthapuram. The all powerful and benign Attukal Bhagavathy reigns eternally Supreme and nurses her devotees., as a mother does her children. No wonder that thousands of devotees from far and near flock to the temple to bend before the Goddess with awe and reverence and to prostrate to redress their affliction and agony.Telephone, Internet, E-mail & Fax services are made available at the Trust OfficePhone (Temple): +91-471-2456456, Office: 2463130Website: http://www.attukal.org/E-mail: attumailto:attukal@md3.vsnl.net.inTelefax: +91-471-2456457.
A religious and spiritual magazine entitled "Amba Prasadam" has been started from October 1999 and it is being widely received by the devotees and the public at large. The cost of the publication is Rs. 10 /- per copy and annual subscription is Rs. 100 /- inclusive of postage in India. For overseas subscribers, the annual rate of subscription for sending it by Air Mail is Rs.500 /-. The subscription may be sent by demand dmft drawn in favour of "The Secretary, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust" payable at any bank having its branch office in Thiruvananthapuram. The all powerful and benign Attukal Bhagavathy reigns eternally Supreme and nurses her devotees., as a mother does her children. No wonder that thousands of devotees from far and near flock to the temple to bend before the Goddess with awe and reverence and to prostrate to redress their affliction and agony.Telephone, Internet, E-mail & Fax services are made available at the Trust OfficePhone (Temple): +91-471-2456456, Office: 2463130Website: http://www.attukal.org/E-mail: attumailto:attukal@md3.vsnl.net.inTelefax: +91-471-2456457.
DAILY RITUALS
The following ritualistic formalities and schedules are observed at Attukal temple.
4:30
Palliyunarthu (waking of the Goddess.)
5.00
Nirmalyadarsanam
5.35
Abhishekam (ablutions of the idol in oil, milk etc.)
5.45
Ganapathy homam (specific offering to God Vinayaka)
6.00
Deeparadhana (burning incense and lighting lamps to the Honour and Glory of the Almighty)
6.30
Usha Pooja (Morning rite)
6.40
Deeparadhana
6.50
Usha Sreebali (morning Sreebali)
7.00
Kalabhabhiskekam (consecration by pouring liquid sandal)
8.30
Pantheeradi Pooja (special rite)
12.00
Ucha Pooja (noon rite)
Noon 12.00 Deeparadhana
12.10
Ucha Sreebali (Noon Sreebali)
12.30
Nata adappu (Closure of Sreekovil)
Evening 5.00 Nata Thurappu (Opening of Sreekovil)
6.45
Deeparadhana
7.30
Athazha Pooja (Night rite)
8.00
Deeparadhana (Night rite)
8.05
Athazha Sreebali
8.30
Nata Atappu (Closure of temple Sreekovil)
Pooja timings may be altered on special occasions
Special Offerings ;
4:30
Palliyunarthu (waking of the Goddess.)
5.00
Nirmalyadarsanam
5.35
Abhishekam (ablutions of the idol in oil, milk etc.)
5.45
Ganapathy homam (specific offering to God Vinayaka)
6.00
Deeparadhana (burning incense and lighting lamps to the Honour and Glory of the Almighty)
6.30
Usha Pooja (Morning rite)
6.40
Deeparadhana
6.50
Usha Sreebali (morning Sreebali)
7.00
Kalabhabhiskekam (consecration by pouring liquid sandal)
8.30
Pantheeradi Pooja (special rite)
12.00
Ucha Pooja (noon rite)
Noon 12.00 Deeparadhana
12.10
Ucha Sreebali (Noon Sreebali)
12.30
Nata adappu (Closure of Sreekovil)
Evening 5.00 Nata Thurappu (Opening of Sreekovil)
6.45
Deeparadhana
7.30
Athazha Pooja (Night rite)
8.00
Deeparadhana (Night rite)
8.05
Athazha Sreebali
8.30
Nata Atappu (Closure of temple Sreekovil)
Pooja timings may be altered on special occasions
Special Offerings ;
There are many items of offerings scheduled in the temple. The devotees are free to have then choice according their need.
Muzhukkappu - 130/-
Panchamrithabhishekam - 300/-
Kalabhabhishekam - 1251/-
Ashtadravyabhishekam - 600/-
Udayasthamana Pooja - 4000/-
Ardha Dina Pooja - 2500/-
Pushpabhishekam - 6500/-
Laksharchana - 5500/-
Bhagavathy seva - 350/-
Panthirunazhi - 400/-
101 Kalam Ponkala - 600/-
Chuttu vilakku - 1300/-
Navakabhishekam - 50/-
Sreebali - 351/-, 551/-
Panchamrithabhishekam - 300/-
Kalabhabhishekam - 1251/-
Ashtadravyabhishekam - 600/-
Udayasthamana Pooja - 4000/-
Ardha Dina Pooja - 2500/-
Pushpabhishekam - 6500/-
Laksharchana - 5500/-
Bhagavathy seva - 350/-
Panthirunazhi - 400/-
101 Kalam Ponkala - 600/-
Chuttu vilakku - 1300/-
Navakabhishekam - 50/-
Sreebali - 351/-, 551/-
Besides these "Kunjoonu" (Choroonu - first rice feeding ceremony for children) Thulabharam, Vidyarambham, Archana etc. can be done at this temple. The main offering of the Goddess viz., Muzhukkappu (Covering the idol with sandal paste) is booked until 2025 A.D. and the Kalabhabhishekam for the next five years. The devotees who wish to conduct Ponkala/ Vazhipadu, can enter the Website and remit the respective amount to the bankers of the Trust. The temple authorities will conduct the Pooja/ Vazhipadu, as the case may be, and send the prasadam by post. (Arrangements for despatching Prasadam by post on request to the Secretary of the Attukal Temple Trust, are also made available).
FESTIVALS
The atmosphere of festivity prevails everyday a the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. Poojas arranged by devotees as also Bhajan, Kodi Archana, Leksharchana, Akhandanamajapam (continuous chanting of the names of Goddess) are conducted almost everyday. All important days of religious observances are celebrated here. Very important among them are:
1. Mandala Vratham - Festival in connection with the annual Utsavam of Sabarimala
2. Vinayaka Chathurthi - Pooja to the Lord Ganapathy
3. Pooja Vaypu - Identical to Dussera festival (Saraswathy Pooja and Vidyarambham)
4. Sivarathri - Siva Pooja
5. Karthika - (Devi's star) in November - December - Karthika Deepam
6. Ayilya Pooja - Milk, flowers etc. offered to serpent God and special rites.
7. Aiswarya Pooia - On all fullmoon (Pournarni) days
8. Nirayum Puthariyum (Ramayana Parayanam) - During the month of Karkidaka
9. Akhandanama Japam - 4th Sunday of every month.
Pongala Mahotsavam
'Ponkala' is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The offering of Ponkala is a very special temple practice in the southern part of Kerala. The ten-day- long celebration commences in the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (Feb - March)on the Karthika star. Ponkala ceremony is on the auspicious day of Pooram star which coincides with full moon. The festival commences with the musical rendering of the story of the Goddess (Kannaki Charitam) during the "Kappukettu ceremony". The story invokes the presence of Kodungallur Bhagavathy and the slaying of the Pandyan King. The song will continue for all the nine days preceding Ponkala. The event of the Goddess annihilating the Pandyan King is 
accompanied by much sound and fury of the temple drums and "Vaykurava" by devotees, immediately followed by the lighting of the hearths for the preparation of the offering for the Goddess. This festival commemorates the victory of Good over Evil, by the slaying of Pandyan King. Throughout the festival an atmosphere of celebration and festivity prevails and there are the solemn observances such as regular conduct of Bhajans, musical concerts, ballets depicting folk and temple arts etc. in the temple premises. This is symbolic of the philosophy that human and divine affairs are inter-woven so minutely in all its disquisitions. Processions of colourful floats of the deity from all around, carried with pomp and devotion by the devotees congregating in the temple premises provides a pleasing experience.
accompanied by much sound and fury of the temple drums and "Vaykurava" by devotees, immediately followed by the lighting of the hearths for the preparation of the offering for the Goddess. This festival commemorates the victory of Good over Evil, by the slaying of Pandyan King. Throughout the festival an atmosphere of celebration and festivity prevails and there are the solemn observances such as regular conduct of Bhajans, musical concerts, ballets depicting folk and temple arts etc. in the temple premises. This is symbolic of the philosophy that human and divine affairs are inter-woven so minutely in all its disquisitions. Processions of colourful floats of the deity from all around, carried with pomp and devotion by the devotees congregating in the temple premises provides a pleasing experience.A Rare Charm of the Festival
On the 9' day of the festival, it would appear as though all roads in and around Thiruvananthapuram city lead to the Attukal Temple. The entire area of about 5 Kilometres radius around the temple, with houses of people of all caste, creed and religion open fields, roads and commercial institutions emerge as a consecrated ground for observing Ponkala ritual for the lakhs women devotees assembling from different parts of Kerala and outside. This ceremony is exclusively confined to women folk. It is a delightful sight to see waves after waves of women of all age groups without caste, colour and creed surging into this area well in advance mostly carrying on their head materials such as firewood, earthern pots rice, jaggery, coconut etc. to mark out specific spots for the preparation of their offerings to the Goddess. The important ritual in the 'Ponkala' is the preparation of rice or varieties of sweet rice using hearths and the earthern pots in the open. The signal for lighting -the hearth is given by the chief priest of the temple at a prefixed auspicious time followed by the humming of the temple drums.The ceremony concludes with the sprinkling of holy water by temple priests at the appointed time in the evening accompanied by an aerial showering of flowers to the honour and glory of the Goddess Almighty. The temple authorities make all necessary arrangements for the welfare of this huge congregation with the active participation of the voluntary agencies, local people, members of the festival committee and the various government departments. They ensure law and order in the area with the support of the police and the volunteers specially detailed for the purpose. The enormous crowd which gathers here is reminiscent of the huge gatherings of the Kumbha Mela festival of North India.
Kuthiyottam and Thalappoli.
Kuthiyottam performed by boys and Thalappoli by girls are two popular rituals made on the Ponkala day. A stream of young girls dressed in traditional attire holding Thalappoli starts very early in the morning with the hope that the Goddess almighty would be pleased to bestow on them beauty inward and outward, health, wealth and happiness. Boys below the age of 13 years make the offering of Kuthiyottam. These young boys represent the wounded soldiers of the Goddess Mahishasura Marddini. On the third day of the festival these young boys receive the prasadam (offering) from the temple priest and start a seven day penance to purify their body and mind. For the purpose they have to pass through rigorous physical and mental discipline such as sleeping on the floor, observing strict diet restrictions, staying in the temple etc. Besides these, the boys have to undergo such disciplines like prostrating 1008 times before the deity after their morning and evening oblations.
The Divine Procession
No sooner are the boys adorned for accompanying the Deity than the grand procession begins. The procession with illumination, floats and colourful festoons on either side of the road generate a gala atmosphere. This is made more attractive with various art forms like peacock dance, poykuthira dance, kolkali, theyyam, kumbhadance, display of other art forms which are followed by kuthiyottam, panchavadyam. Lastly a sight to behold is, the magnificent procession of Attukal Bhagavathy on the caparisoned elephant displaying with Alavattom and Venchamaram under the resounding echo of occasional gun shots. Enroute it is a splendid sight to see the devotees who assemble on either side of the road welcoming the goddess in reverence with different kinds of offerings in salvers and "vaykurava". The procession starting from Attukal temple reaches the Sastha Temple at Manacaud in the small hours of the morning and after the necessary pooja ceremonies performed there, the entourage returns to Attukal. Thereafter, the deity is received back in the sanctum with Deeparadhana. Soon after the Deeparadhana, the 'boys are delivered of the penance in an orderly manner. At night, rendering of devotional songs takes place which is followed by the ceremonial removal of the "Kappu". The ten day festival Culminates with the sacrificial offering known as 'Kuruthi Tharpanam' at night.
OFFERINGS
May the blessings of Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy be bestowed upon you, reduce agony and save lives through the limitless showering of Her mercy.Contributions are welcome from individuals and organisations.Cheques and drafts drawn in favour of "Secretary, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust" may be sent to the following address.SecretaryATTUKAL BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE TRUSTP.B. No. 5805, Manacaud P.O.,Thiruvananthapuram - 695 009, Kerala, South India.Phone: +91-471 - 2463130 (Off) 2456456 (Temple)Fax : +91-471 - 2456457Email: attukal@md3.vsnl.net.in
May the blessings of Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy be bestowed upon you, reduce agony and save lives through the limitless showering of Her mercy.Contributions are welcome from individuals and organisations.Cheques and drafts drawn in favour of "Secretary, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust" may be sent to the following address.SecretaryATTUKAL BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE TRUSTP.B. No. 5805, Manacaud P.O.,Thiruvananthapuram - 695 009, Kerala, South India.Phone: +91-471 - 2463130 (Off) 2456456 (Temple)Fax : +91-471 - 2456457Email: attukal@md3.vsnl.net.in
SOCIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES
ONLINE VAZHIPADU
DEVI MAHATMYA ARCHANA
Gold Lockets
Music (CDs)
PONGALA BOOKING
Poojas Offered to Devi
Poojas Offered to Lord Ganapathi
Poojas Offered to Lord Shiva
Poojas Offered to Madan Thampuran
Poojas Offered to Naga Bhagavan
SHATRUSAMHARA ARCHANA
SWAYAMVARARCHANA
Trust Publications
DEVI MAHATMYA ARCHANA
Gold Lockets
Music (CDs)
PONGALA BOOKING
Poojas Offered to Devi
Poojas Offered to Lord Ganapathi
Poojas Offered to Lord Shiva
Poojas Offered to Madan Thampuran
Poojas Offered to Naga Bhagavan
SHATRUSAMHARA ARCHANA
SWAYAMVARARCHANA
Trust Publications
OFFICE BEARERS
The following new office bearers have assumed charge of their respective Positions in Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust.
Shri G. Madhavan Nair - Chairman
Sri. R.Gopinathan Nair - President
Sri.S.Venugopal - Vice President
Sri.K.P.Ramachandran Nair - Secretary
Sri. M.S.Jyothish Kumar - Joint Secretary
Sri. V.Ayyappan Nair - Treasurer
All correspondences to the Trust are to be addressed to the Secretary.
CONTACT US
SecretaryATTUKAL BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE TRUSTP.B. No. 5805, Manacaud P.O.,Thiruvananthapuram - 695 009, Kerala, South India.Phone: +91-471 - 2463130 (Off) 2456456 (Temple)Fax : +91-471 - 2456457
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ATTUKAL BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE is the most precious and holly temple for its beautiful gathering of the worshippers. And its world famous and known as "Sthreekalude Sabarimala". Attukal Pongala" entered into the Guiness Book of World Records for the largest women gathering festival in the world !!
No wounder its amazing !!!!! and its incredible !!!!!!! and its powerful !!!!!"AMME SARANAM", "DEVI SARANAM", "BADHRE SARANAM"
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