Thiruvananthapuram: There may be many who have been offering pongala for 35 years, but one of them is a man named Surendran Nair.
Sweating profusely near a hearth at Sasthamangalam Junction, he says, “I am almost 60 now. I have never missed Pongala. I am grateful to the Amma for many blessings."
One of the blessings was his daughter, he says. His daughter Arunima S. Nair was born on a Pongala day years ago, and on Tuesday she turned 18. “It happened in the morning like today,” he says.
She is a first year BA student. An auto driver, he has managed to take other friends into confidence. Though they don't join him in cooking, his friends help in many different ways.
“They help no matter what religion they belong. Mahin, who is a Muslim, brought three litres of milk. My friends get the vessels and utensils for cooking. Some contribute money,” he says.
His wife and daughter also offer Pongala, but they sit closer to the temple. He later drops them back home. The temple does not recognise offerings made by men. However, Mr Nair is sure that the goddess would.
“When the temple offers Nivedyam, I offer my apologies for all the bad deeds that I have done. And five minutes after the women put down the fire, I follow,” he says.
