Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society

[uddu]

Attukal Pongala | The Feast of Millions | Bharatbala | Virtual Bharat | Short Film | Documentary

Women from most households of Kerala step out of their homes. Fuelled by the faith in a goddess and carrying earthenware pots in their hands, they walk towards the streets of Attukal Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The entire city comes to a grinding halt. For they make way for these millions of women, some of them visiting from other states, to come together for a celebration. It is the world’s largest women congregation that made it to the Guinness World Records.

This year as the pandemic restricts public gathering for the first time in history, Virtual Bharat brings to you the experience of the festival. A story of celebration, devotion, and feast prepared by millions of women.

Smoke billows from temporary hearths followed by tearful women swaying to the chanting of mantras. They howl shrilly as is the custom, invoke blessings of the goddess, and pray for the prosperity of their families. Millions of hearths are lit up from the main hearth of the temple and a collective spirituality is witnessed in this mega festival.

The earthenware pots are overflowing as Pongal, a combination of rice and jaggery is cooked and offered to the goddess, Attukal Bhagavathy.

Come enjoy the feast, this Attukal Pongala.

Virtual Bharat. A 1000 film journey, one story at a time.
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