Thousands of women from Kerala and beyond defied scorching heat on Thursday to offer 'pongala' at the Attukal Bhagavathy temple, known as the "Women's Sabarimala." With makeshift brick stoves lining the city’s streets, devotees—some arriving Wednesday night—prepared the sacred dish of rice, jaggery, and coconut under umbrellas and shawls. The ritual, part of a 10-day festival, began at 10:10 AM when the chief priest lit the main stove (Pandara Aduppu), igniting thousands of stoves amid drumbeats and music. Priests later sprinkled holy water to conclude the ceremony.

The festival’s roots trace to the Tamil epic Silappadhikaram. It commemorates Kannagi, who, after her husband Kovalan was wrongly executed as a thief in Madurai, burned the city in vengeance. Fleeing to Kerala, she was warmly received by local women, an act this ritual honors. The festival starts with the "Kappukettu ceremony," featuring a nine-day musical recitation of Kannagi’s story (Kannaki Charitam) by designated families, invoking Kodungallur Bhagavathy’s presence. On the tenth day, the pongala offering symbolizes her triumph over injustice.

Prominent attendees included families of Union Minister Suresh Gopi and actor Jairam’s wife Parvathy, alongside ASHA workers protesting near the Secretariat. Political leaders like Shashi Tharoor, who highlighted the event’s growing popularity, and Rajeev Chandrasekhar were also present. Authorities supported the massive gathering with food, water, medical aid, and traffic management.

In 2009, the pongala entered the Guinness World Records with 2.5 million women participating, cementing its status as a historic all-women religious event. Today, it remains a vibrant celebration of faith, resilience, and Kannagi’s enduring legacy, blending ancient tradition with communal devotion.