By Virtual Bharat
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.
The earthenware pots are overflowing as pongal, a combination of rice and jaggery, is cooked and offered to the goddess, Attukal Bhagavathy. Millions of hearths are lit up from the main hearth of the temple and a collective spirituality is witnessed in this mega festival.
The team of Virtual Bharat filmed the feast, preparation of the pongal and the faith of the women in goddess Attukal Bhagavathy. In under 8 minutes, the film transports you to the streets of Thiruvananthapuram, the celebration and the festivity carried with pomp and devotion.
