Tucked away in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is more than just a place of worship it’s a living symbol of faith, culture, and the strength of women’s devotion. Dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, believed to be the divine form of Kannagi from the Tamil epic Cilappatikaram, this temple is lovingly called the “Sabarimala of Women.”

According to legend, the goddess appeared before a devotee at Attukal, asking for a temple to be built in her honor. Since then, she has been worshipped as the Supreme Mother the one who creates, preserves, and protects. Devotees believe she blesses them with courage, prosperity, and well-being.

The temple itself is a beautiful confluence of Kerala and Tamil architecture. The subtle carvings of Kali, Shiva, Parvati and even Lord Vishnu's Dasavatar carved on its walls make it alive. Situated on the banks of the calm Killy River, this temple is not only a spiritual shelter but has also become a cultural heritage.

But the one who really makes Attukal special is Atukal Pongla Festival. Every year, during the February -March, millions of women gather around the temple from Kerala and outside and cook sweet kheer called Pongla made of rice, jaggery and coconut under the open sky on earthen stoves. This unique function of devotion is recorded in the Guinness World Records, as it is the largest annual congregation of women for a religious ritual.

On this day, men back down devoutly, so that women can lead the worship. The atmosphere is filled with heat of mantras, prayers and shared devotion. Pongala is not just a ritual, but it is a celebration of faith, unity and the divine female power of Goddess Attukal Bhagwati.

This temple is still a powerful symbol of the spiritual soul of Kerala, where tradition, community and empowerment come together in the name of Goddess Maa.