WOMEN’S DAY OUT
The Attukal Pongala-it is a literal test of how much heat you can take. If the Olympics is a test of endurance, this one follows right behind. Best of all, it’s a ladies only affair.
The whole city shuts down and as for the poor men-NO ENTRY anywhere- on the roads or bylanes until the pongala is over and done with. They are reduced to staying indoors all day. ( A taste of how restrictive it can be for women?)
Considering the discomfort of lakhs of female devotees who throng Trivandrum and literally sleep on the roads, bus stands or railway stations the night before, I had it easy. I was in a relative’s home in Manakkad, and along with 50 others performed the pongala in the relative comfort of a tree-lined courtyard. The courtyard also had a swing, which thankfully, kept Appu occupied all day. I sent a prayer of thanks heavenwards as the heat of the day, combined with the heat of 50 odd fires, and billowing clouds of smoke made its presence felt.
The best part about the ritual-every home in the neighborhood, opens its doors and kitchens to the devotees, religion be damned. In a true show of solidarity, women lend a helping hand to their brethren and try and ease the discomforts associated with a festival that sees the number of devotees increasing year by year.
As the day ended; I was left with memories of a night spent walking to the market to get coconut-shell ladles at 10 o’clock in an all women group( this is unheard of in good old Trivandrum), the chatter, the yummy payasam and the “manda puttu” (a dish made of rice flour and gram flour, flavored with jaggery), the afternoon naps, the gossiping and the religious fervor of the whole ritual.
I count the deep satisfaction I felt at the end of the day a blessing indeed from the benevolent goddess.
The whole city shuts down and as for the poor men-NO ENTRY anywhere- on the roads or bylanes until the pongala is over and done with. They are reduced to staying indoors all day. ( A taste of how restrictive it can be for women?)
Considering the discomfort of lakhs of female devotees who throng Trivandrum and literally sleep on the roads, bus stands or railway stations the night before, I had it easy. I was in a relative’s home in Manakkad, and along with 50 others performed the pongala in the relative comfort of a tree-lined courtyard. The courtyard also had a swing, which thankfully, kept Appu occupied all day. I sent a prayer of thanks heavenwards as the heat of the day, combined with the heat of 50 odd fires, and billowing clouds of smoke made its presence felt.
The best part about the ritual-every home in the neighborhood, opens its doors and kitchens to the devotees, religion be damned. In a true show of solidarity, women lend a helping hand to their brethren and try and ease the discomforts associated with a festival that sees the number of devotees increasing year by year.
As the day ended; I was left with memories of a night spent walking to the market to get coconut-shell ladles at 10 o’clock in an all women group( this is unheard of in good old Trivandrum), the chatter, the yummy payasam and the “manda puttu” (a dish made of rice flour and gram flour, flavored with jaggery), the afternoon naps, the gossiping and the religious fervor of the whole ritual.
I count the deep satisfaction I felt at the end of the day a blessing indeed from the benevolent goddess.
posted by newatthis at 9:08 PM
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