Thiruvananthapuram: Did far lesser people offer Pongala on Friday compared to last year? Other than speculation, no one had a figure to give but reports from the ground say that Attukal pongala seemed to be a less crowded affair as it spread out to a larger circumference. Pongala was offered in areas as far as Mannanthala and hearths lined stretches as far as All Saints. As per police officials, the jams on Kovalam- Kazhakoottam bypass stretch lasted beyond 6 pm though the pongala offerings were blessed between 2.15pm-3.30pm.
At Kazhakoottam, autorickshaw drivers offered pongala for a fellow driver named Naushad who was hospitalised following an injury. A group of women offered pongala for the return of Kulbhushan Yadav who is jailed in Pakistan for alleged espionage. Athletes P.T. Usha and playback singer K.J. Yesudas’s wife Prabha Yesudas joined the regular group of celebrities who offer pongala annually.
At several upmarket areas, metal grates were increasingly used instead of bricks to set up hearths to burn firewood. Despite apprehensions on a ban on offering pongala in University College, devotees were allowed to set up hearths inside. Free movement of vehicles, mostly two-wheelers and emergency vehicles were possible on main roads in the city. With various temples and residents associations arranging facilities in their location, offering pongala became a cosy affair.
Governor P. Sathasivam’s wife Saraswathi performs pongala. (Photo: A.V.MUZAFAR)
The abuse of speakers and pollution rates which had come down slightly last year rebounded with speakers blasting at areas like Bakery, Althara and Manacaud, said revenue officials. Over 250 official priests sprayed holy water. Traffic clogged the highway stretch between Muttathara-Kazhakoottam during the initial two hours despite wider roads. During the procession at night, the deity set out of the temple on tusker Pambadi Rajan like in previous years.
