The annual Attukal Pongala, billed the largest congregation of women, will be held on the premises of the Attukal Bhagavathy temple here in compliance with COVID-19 protocols on February 27. The meeting was convened following a demand from the Attukal Bhagavathy temple trust to frame guidelines for conduct of the Pongala in the wake of the pandemic. It was decided that rituals in connection with the temple festival would be held as per tradition while avoiding crowding. City Corporation wards near the Attukal Bhagavathy temple would be declared the festival zone, but no permission would be granted to offer Pongala on roads or in public places. Jyothilal; District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) Balram Kumar Upadhyay; and temple trust officials attended the meeting.

Source: The Hindu January 27, 2021 15:22 UTC