Thiruvananthapuram, Sunday 28 February 2010: The much-awaited Attukal Pongala ritual kicked off with the tantri lighting the lamp at the sanctum sanctorum. He then handed over the light to the melshanti Muralidhran Namboodhirippadu. This light was later transferred to the pandara aduppu by the priest. The time for the aduppuvettu was 10.10 am.

The fire was then passed on from pandara aduppu to all other pongala hearths. The ritual will conclude with the sprinkling of holy water on the offerings at 3.15 pm. More than 25 lakh devotees are expected to offer pongala.

Braving the scorching heat, people from distant places arrived yesterday itself. Security has been beefed up in and around the temple premises. Around 3000 policemen have been deployed.