Cumming, GA, March 5, 2026: The sacred Attukal Pongala Festival was celebrated with great devotion on March 1, 2026, under the leadership of the Kerala Hindus of Georgia (KHGA) at the premises of the Shiva Durga Temple of Atlanta in Cumming.
Seeking the divine blessings of Attukal Amma of Thiruvananthapuram, devotees from across the Atlanta area gathered with deep devotion and dedication to participate in the auspicious ritual.
More than 300 devotees took part in the celebration, making it a shining example of spiritual unity within the community.
From early morning, the temple premises were filled with a serene and devotional atmosphere. Devotees arranged the traditional Pandara Aduppu (sacred hearths), placed the Pongala pots, and prepared the ritual materials while meditating upon the Goddess before offering the Pongala.
The Lalitha Sahasranama group played a significant role in the spiritual proceedings with remarkable coordination and devotion. Their collective chanting of the Lalitha Sahasranama resonated throughout the temple premises, filling the air with divine vibrations. Each sacred chant became a moment of spiritual connection, deeply touching the hearts of the devotees.
Before lighting the Pandara Aduppu, the temple’s Tantric priest, Sri Karthik Deekshidar, conducted a special Kudumba Pooja (family prayer) for the devotees inside the temple. Following the ritual, the sacred divine flame (Deepa Jywala) from the sanctum of the Goddess was reverentially brought outside and offered at the Attukal Devi shrine. The ceremonial Pandara Aduppu was first lit using this divine flame, and from that sacred fire,100 lady devotees lit their individual hearths. This moment symbolized spiritual unity and devotion, recreating in Atlanta the sacred tradition of Attukal Amma’s blessings from Thiruvananthapuram.
The festival was not limited to women alone; it became a spiritual celebration involving the dedication and participation of entire families. The success of the event was the result of over forty days of meticulous preparation, including numerous meetings and coordinated efforts across various teams handling registration, safety, pooja arrangements, logistics, and event management.
The glowing flames of the Pongala hearths symbolized the prayers and offerings of the devotees. Each pot of Pongala represented heartfelt devotion and surrender to the Goddess.
Following the rituals, devotees enjoyed a traditional Kerala-style breakfast, lovingly prepared and served, sharing moments of joy and unity before returning to their homes with a sense of spiritual fulfillment.
The success of the festival was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Mini Nair, Geetha Kumari, Shalini Shajeev, and Deepa Rajesh, who took the lead with great commitment. The event was further coordinated by organizers Suresh Nair, Ranjith Gangadharan, Kavitha Ramachandran, Lavanya Shiju, Bineesh Raghavan, Jagadeesh, and Pradeep Aiyer, along with numerous volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
The organizers Shajeev Padmanivas, Rajesh Pillai, and Mini Nair expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all participants, volunteers, and supporters who contributed to making the Pongala festival a grand success.
The tireless efforts of the organizers and volunteers transformed the celebration into a remarkable event, once again reflecting the unity and cultural spirit of the Malayalee community in Atlanta.
