About Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple stands in Attukal, about 2 km from East Fort and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The goddess, lovingly called Attukal Amma, is a form of Bhadrakali and is identified with Kannaki, the faithful heroine of the Tamil epic Silappatikaram. The temple is often called the Sabarimala of women because of the great number of women devotees, and it is best known for Attukal Pongala, one of the largest religious gatherings of women anywhere in the world.
Tradition says that after Kannaki destroyed the city of Madurai in her grief and anger over the unjust killing of her husband Kovalan, she travelled towards Kodungallur in Kerala. On the way she appeared as a young girl to an elder of the Mullaveettil family beside the Killi river and asked to be taken across. That night the goddess appeared to him in a dream and asked for a shrine to be built at the spot she would mark, and the family built a small temple there. The shrine has grown over the years into the present temple.
The temple combines Kerala and Tamil styles. A sculpted gopuram over the entrance shows forms of the goddess such as Mahishasuramardini, Kali and Rajarajeshwari, along with scenes from the Kannaki story. Inside, the sanctum holds a richly adorned image of the goddess. During the ten-day Pongala festival in the Malayalam month of Kumbham, women light hearths along kilometres of roads around the temple and cook pongala, a sweet dish of rice, jaggery and coconut, as an offering, which is then sprinkled with holy water by priests.
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from about 4:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Nirmalya darshan and morning puja | Around 4:30 AM to 5:00 AM (approx.) |
| Ucha puja (midday) | Around noon (approx.) |
| Deeparadhana | At sunset |
| Athazha puja (night) | Before closing (approx.) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
By air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is about 6 km away.
By train
Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station is about 2 km away.
By road
City buses and autos run from East Fort and Thampanoor. The temple is in the heart of the city.
Festivals at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
- Attukal PongalaFeb/Mar
- NavaratriSep/Oct
- Mandala seasonNov/Dec
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Modest traditional dress is recommended: saree, set-mundu or salwar kameez for women, and dhoti or trousers for men. Follow any notices at the entrance.
- Entry
- Free entry for darshan; offerings can be booked at the temple counters.
- If you plan to offer Pongala, arrive a day early; the roads fill with hearths from the night before.
- On Pongala day traffic in the city is heavily restricted; plan travel on foot or well in advance.
- Carry water and a cap; the festival falls in the hot season.
- Photography is not allowed inside the sanctum.
- Combine the visit with the Padmanabhaswamy Temple nearby.
Places to visit near Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy TempleGreat Vishnu temple at East Fort, about 2 km away
- Pazhavangadi Ganapathy TemplePopular Ganesha temple near East Fort, about 2 km away
- Napier MuseumMuseum and gardens in the city, about 5 km away
- Kovalam BeachWell-known beach, about 13 km away
Frequently asked questions
What is Attukal Pongala?
It is the main festival of the temple, when women devotees cook a sweet rice offering called pongala on hearths across the city as an offering to the goddess.
When is Attukal Pongala held?
It falls in the Malayalam month of Kumbham, usually in February or March, on the day of the Pooram star.
Who is the deity at Attukal Temple?
The goddess is Attukal Amma, a form of Bhadrakali identified with Kannaki, the heroine of the Tamil epic Silappatikaram.
What are the Attukal Temple timings?
The temple usually opens around 4:30 AM and closes around 8:30 PM, with a break in the afternoon. Check locally before visiting.
How far is Attukal Temple from Thiruvananthapuram Central station?
It is about 2 km from the station, a short auto ride.
What is the aarti time at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple?
Nirmalya darshan and morning puja: Around 4:30 AM to 5:00 AM (approx.); Ucha puja (midday): Around noon (approx.); Deeparadhana: At sunset; Athazha puja (night): Before closing (approx.). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple?
Modest traditional dress is recommended: saree, set-mundu or salwar kameez for women, and dhoti or trousers for men. Follow any notices at the entrance.
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