Tue Mar 11 14:32:55 UTC 2025: ## Thousands Expected at Pongala Festival in Kollam
**KOLLAM, March 11, 2025** – The annual Pongala Maholasavam festival at the Sree Puthiyakavu Bhagawathy Temple in Kollam is set to take place on March 14th, temple officials announced Tuesday. The festival, which draws thousands of devotees, will feature a series of rituals, beginning with the ‘padukka samarpanam’ (fruit offering) on March 11th.
The main Pongala ceremony will commence on March 14th with the lighting of the nilavilakku by Chief Priest N. Balamurali, followed by the pongala and manjaneerattu rituals. A key highlight will be the passing of fire from the pandara aduppu (main hearth) to other hearths. Following the manjaneerattu, a sanctification ceremony and the ‘Shaktikumbham ezhunallappu’ will take place at 5 p.m., culminating with the final ritual, the mangala guruthi offering, at 1 a.m.
Extensive preparations are underway to manage the large crowds. Kollam city will be divided into 50 blocks for hearths, with 500 male and 300 female volunteers assisting devotees. The Health department, Kerala Water Authority, Kollam Corporation, police, Fire and Rescue Services, and private hospitals will all be providing services. Food and water will be provided, and a team of doctors and paramedics will be on hand.
First Piper 