THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From filmstars to wives of politicians, as always there was no dearth of VIPs during the Attukal pongala. The absence of actress Kalpana, who had been a regular devotee, brought back memories to many.
Actresses including Asha Sarath, Chippy, Chitra, Menaka Suresh, Priyanka, Seema G Nair, Manka Mahesh and Vidhubala offered pongala near the temple. “We miss Kalpana very much this time,” said actress Chitra recollecting her experiences of previous years with Kalpana, who died recently. “Kalpana used to sit beside me and keep on talking. She would often enquire if my pongala was ready,” she said. Chippy also said that the absence of Kalapana had created a vacuum.
Governor P Sathasivam’s wife Saraswathi got the privilege of offering pongala right in front of the temple. It was her second pongala offering.
Senior congress leader A K Antony’s wife Elizabeth Antony who offered pongala for the second time near her house at Vazhuthacaud said that it was a festival of women and there were no religious barriers.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala’s wife Anitha, Excise Minister K Babu’s wife Geetha and Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan’s wife Hemaja also offered pongala in various parts of the city. Tamil actor and director Bhagyaraj’s son Shanthanu and wife Keerthi also offered pongala near Thampanoor.
