Saturday, February 23, 2008

Attukal Pongala - The largest religious union of women

Thousands of women on Friday participated in the 'Pongala' festival at the Attukal Devi temple, famed as the "Women's Sabarimala" for attracting one of world's biggest female devotional congregations.

The entire city turned into a virtual sea of women since the day-break as devotees poured in from far and wide and joined the local crowd to participate in the annual ritual, which made the temple enter Guinness Book of World Records.

The Attukal pongala festival is all set to break its own record. The festival, which entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 1997 for being the largest religious gathering of women, has now received the go-ahead from the Guinness authorities to update its record.
In 1997, the Attukal pongala festival entered the Guinness Book with the participation of 15 lakh devotees. This year, the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust authorities are expecting 25 lakh devotees, Trust members said at a news conference here on Wednesday.

I guess "liberals" should start a new movement to allow men to take part in this event and give a writ petition in High Court

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