Among the all ancient temples of South India, Attukal Devi (Attukal Bhagavathy) Temple, a small temple in the city of Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala, South India, has a very special position. Also known as “the Sabarimala of Women”, this temple attracts the biggest throng of women devotees for the annual Attukal Pongala festival.
Attukal Devi temple and its main festival Attukal Pongala reached Guinness Book of World Records of a largest annual gathering of women when 1.5 million (15 Lakhs) women offered pongala on February 23, 1997, and its achieved by 2.5 million (25 Lakhs) women offered pongala on March 10, 2009. It is estimated that about 3.7 million (37 Lakhs) women offered pongala on February 26, 2013. The number of women devotees reaching this place increases every year.
Devotees from all parts of India come and bow before the all powerful goddess, seeking an end to their afflictions and to receive blessings. The temple is just 2 Km from the main city center of Thiruvananthapuram and is located at a rural-looking area, although the surroundings are highly urbanized.
Attukal temple is the abode of the goddess, who is the supreme preserver and destroyer. She cares her devotees like a mother does her children. For the devotees, Attukal Devi (Attukal Amma) is supreme power, capable of delivering all the wishes of her devotees. Several women devotees testify the supreme power of this shrine, and tell you how Attukal Devi has blessed them with progeny and wishes of bountiful life.
The architecture of Attukal temple has elements of both Kerala and Tamil architecture styles. The exteriors of the temple are carved with hundreds of sculptures of gods, goddesses, the stories of Dasavataram of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Kannagi (Kannaki), Dakshayaga etc. The main building also depicts Goddess Kali, Sree Parvathy, Lord Siva, Rajarajeshwari, and several others. The Gopura (main rise building) is covered by such idols, which surely are a work of a team of artisans under the leadership of an able sculptor.
The temple doors and internal corridors also have several sculptures of Gods like Lord Ganapathi (Ganesh), Lord Siva, etc.
Also Read: Attukal Pongala festival- Myths and beliefs
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