Attukal Pongala 2027 in Trivandrum
Attukal Pongala is the day on which millions of women cook a sweet rice offering on brick hearths across Thiruvananthapuram, and it is recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest gathering of women for a religious activity. It is the ninth day of a ten-day festival at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, two kilometres from East Fort, held in the Malayalam month of Kumbham. The festival opens on the Karthika star with the Kappukettu ceremony and the Pongala is offered on Pooram. In 2026 it fell on 3 March, when reports put the gathering at about four million. For 2027 the temple trust's schedule, reported in July 2026, runs from 14 to 23 February, with the Pongala offered on Monday 22 February and the closing rituals the next day. On the day, the temple's main hearth, the Pandara Aduppu, is lit in the morning and the fire is passed from hearth to hearth along every road for kilometres; the offering is blessed in the afternoon. Rituals such as Kuthiyottam and Thalappoli and nightly stage programmes fill the other evenings. This page lists Pongala-related programmes and festival events in the city.
No listings right now.
Listings for this usually appear a few weeks before the dates — we add them every morning. Meanwhile: this weekend · free events · today
Good to know
- You do not need to be near the temple. Hearths line the roads from Attukal to East Fort, Thampanoor, Palayam and beyond, and residents' groups reserve stretches for visitors.
- Bring or buy an earthen pot, rice, jaggery, coconut, bricks and dry firewood. Stalls sell complete kits on every main road in the days before.
- The city centre is closed to private vehicles from the previous evening. Use the special KSRTC services and extra trains, and expect a long walk at the end.
- Wear cotton, cover your head, and carry water and a wet towel. Hours of smoke and late-morning sun are the hard part.
- A local holiday is normally declared in the district on Pongala day, so offices, banks and most shops in the centre stay shut.
- Men can help with carrying and volunteering, but the offering itself is made by women.
Frequently asked questions
When is Attukal Pongala in 2027?
Monday 22 February 2027. The ten-day festival at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple runs from 14 to 23 February, and the Pongala is offered on the ninth day. Confirm the hour of lighting the hearths with the temple trust nearer the date.
When was Attukal Pongala in 2026?
On 3 March 2026.
Who can take part?
The Pongala is offered by women of any age. Many travel from other districts and states and stay with relatives or in halls arranged by local associations.
Where is the Attukal temple?
At Attukal, about 2 km from the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at East Fort and 3 km from Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station.
How many people attend?
Guinness recognised gatherings of 1.5 million women in 1997 and 2.5 million in 2009. Reports estimated about four million in 2026.
The weekend, sorted.
Every Thursday: the 10 best things to do in Trivandrum this weekend, the free stuff, and what to book before it sells out. Join readers across Thiruvananthapuram.
You're in — look out for Thursday's email. 🎉