Aattukaal Ponkaala - World Record

സര്‍വമംഗള  മംഗല്യേ ശിവേ സര്‍വാത സാധികെ
ശരന്യേ ശിവേ ദേവി ഗൌരി നാരായണീ നമോസ്തുതേ
ഓം .... ആറ്റുകാല്‍ ദേവി എല്ലാവര്ക്കും നന്‍മ നല്‍കട്ടെ.
There is no Thiruvananthapuram without Aattukaal Devi temple. This temple is very unique, and is now world famous. 
The Ponkaala festival (due on this 28th February Sunday) is the largest union of women in the world. Guiness Book of World Records have accredited this unique fact.
This year, over 25 lakh women are expected to offer the Ponkaala nivedhyam (Ponkaala offering). 
The crowd in the City is already on. Devotees are flocking to the temple everyday, right from morning. The peak will be on 28th, when the Ponkaala will be offered. The whole City,  including the suburbs, will transform into an "yaagasaala". It's grand ! One must see this !
I have here just a few snaps from the temple premises (taken on this monday evening). 

The Temple authorities and the Local administration  are doing a fantastic job. The Police is extremely great... they are there everywhere... assisting the devotees for darshan... and whatnot !  I have no words to record my appreciation on them. May Devi bless them all !

 

The open ground (maidaan) where cultural programmes go on ... night and day .. continuous 

 

A closeup view of the main dais (for cultural programmes ) 

  

 Festivals ... Exhibitions... So shops a galore ... From bajji to toys .. to novelties ...

  

Huge ... large ... Parking ground... But no parking on Pongaala day !