Pathanamthitta: Thousands of worshippers came to Chakkulathu Kavu, also known as the Sabarimala of women, to partake in the Pongala ceremony devoted to Chakkulathamma. The Pongala celebrations started with morning prayers, as women offered Pongala, performed penance, and praised the Goddess.
At 10:30 am, the Pongala rituals commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the Pandara Pongala hearth by Chief Karyadarshi Radhakrishnan Namboothiri. The chief priest, Ashokan Namboothiri, ignited the main hearth by transferring the divine flame from the sanctum sanctorum to multiple ovens, taken up by women to ignite their own hearths. With unwavering devotion, they placed pots on the hearths and offered heartfelt prayers to the goddess.
The preparation of the Pongala involved elevating the goddess in 51 Jeevithas, which was oversaw by over 500 Vedic scholars. To ensure the safety and comfort of the devotees, approximately 1000 policemen and 3000 volunteers were deployed. This year’s Pongala ceremony also followed green protocols.
The Chakkulathukavu Sree Bhagavathy Temple is situated in Neerettupuram, situated in the eastern part of Alappuzha. The Chakkulathu Kavu Ponkala is observed during the Malayalam month of ‘vrischikam’ on Thrikarthika day.
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