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Pongala festival gets under way at Attukal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The annual Pongala festival at the Bhagavathy temple in Attukal here got underway on Thursday with the ‘kaappukettu’ and ‘kudiyiruthu’ ceremonies.

At 8.30 a.m., the rituals associated with the ‘kaappu’ or the sacred thread began. The threads fashioned out of ‘panchaloha’ were tied to the holy sword of the main deity and to the wrist of the chief priest of the temple. The sacred threads were tied after the ‘kudiyiruthal’ ceremony which was held to the accompaniment of ‘thottampattu’ — songs that narrate the tale of Kannagi of the ‘Chilappathikaaram,’ in whose honour the first Pongala is said to have been organised. Only after the untying of the sacred threads on the 10th day of the festival would the chief priest leave the temple premises.

A press note issued here said there was a heavy rush of devotees to witness these ceremonies. The cultural programmes in connection with the festival were inaugurated by actor Devan. A ‘rangoli’ programme led by actor Meera Vasudev was also held.

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