Attukal Pongala

Among the all ancient temples of South India, Attukal Devi (Attukal Bhagavathy) Temple, a small temple in the city of Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala, South India, has a very special position. Also known as "the Sabarimala of Women", this temple attracts the biggest throng of women devotees for the annual Attukal Pongala festival.

The Pongala Mahotsavam is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. This festival at Aatukal has been entered into the Guinness book of world records as the largest congregation of women in the world.

The offering of Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu. It is a ten-day programme commencing on the Karthika star of the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (February–March) and closing with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night. On the ninth day of the festival the world famous Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam takes place. The entire area of about 5 kilometre radius around temple with premises of houses of people of all caste, creed and religion, open fields, roads, commercial institutions, premises of Government offices etc. emerges as a consecrated ground for observing Pongala rituals for more than 2.5 million women devotees assembling from different parts of Kerala and outside.

The ceremony is exclusively confined to women folk and the enormous crowd, which gathers in Thiruvananthapuram on this auspicious day is reminiscent of the Kumbhamela Festival of North India.

A Day at hilltop of Ponmudi

An enchanting hill resort with narrow winding pathways and cool, green environs. Ponmudi is a picturesque hill station of Kerala.This place is blessed with an array of mountain flowers, exotic butterflies and rivulets. A mere one and a half hour's road journey separates the beaches of Thiruvananthapuram from the invigorating climate of Ponmudi Hills. 

Ponmudi is the nearest hill station to Thiruvananthapuram . It is located 915 metres above sea level.The name Ponmudi in Malayalam means golden crown.Ponmudi offers excellent opportunities for trekking. 
A narrow winding road connects Ponmudi and Thiruvananthapuram, offering beautiful views on the way to Ponmudi. After getting past 22 hairpin bends and ditchy roads, just come to this mountain peak with real rain forests, streamside forests, tea gardens dotted with waterfalls and viewpoints. It is ideal for long walks and treks.Ponmudi is home to many beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, springs and rivulets. The speciality of Ponmudi is the vast top station, two kilometers away from the premises of the guest house. Morning fog through which you are not able to see each other. Heavy wind in the afternoon. Fog, like smoke coming from a chimmini, rising between the trees.