Aatukal pongala, an offering made to Bhagavathi is observed every year in Trivandrum Kerala at the Aatukal Bhagavathy Temple . This is one of the Largest congregations of women for a festival. This year Aatukal Pongala 2023 was celebrated by women across the tri-state area under the banner Kerala Hindus of New Jersey on 12 March 2023 . KHNJ under the able leadership of President Sanjeevkumar supported by the Trustee Chairperson Ajith Hariharan was a spectacular moment for the ladies in the Tri-state area. The event was coordinated by the Executive committee and the Trustee Board members of KHNJ with the support of Temple Management at Sri Guruvayoorappan Temple Morganville NJ .
Women from New Jersey, New York,Boston ,Pennsylvania and Delaware came together to offer Pongala to Goddess Bhagavathi. 133 women who participated both young and old were able to observe this tradition guided by the Guruvaoorappan temple Priest. The customary offering to god consists of a mixture of rice, jaggery and coconut cooked in a claypot. The women gathered in Temple hall and offered Pongala to Goddess Bhagavathi. The offering was blessed by rituals done by the temple priest .
Kerala Hindus of New Jersey is a non-profit organization formed with an objective to unite all Kerala Hindus of New Jersey, to help build strong inter-community bonds, and to serve the society at large. They have been observing Pongala for the past 4 years.
Reported By
Rubina sudharman
