Date:10/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/10/stories/2008111052240300.htm

Kerala - Pathanamthitta

Chakkulathukavu ‘pongala’ on December 11

Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA: The annual Pongala festival at Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathy Temple at Neerettupuram, near Thiruvalla, will be held on December 11.

The ‘pongala’ would begin with ‘ashtadravya Ganapati homam’ at 4.30 a.m., according to a statement from temple administrator Manikkuttan Namboodiri on Sunday. Temple chief priest Radhakrishnan Namboodiri will light the main ‘pongala’ hearth in front of the temple with the fire brought from the sanctum sanctorum at 9 a.m.

Devotees will offer ‘pongala’ on the temple premises and along all major roads in a 25-km radius.