Dearest friend @TravellerG it is very beautiful to see and learn about the traditions of other peoples and you know that I am attracted by the Indian ones. Of course, for us Westerners it is practically impossible to understand the meaning or even just the nuances of a ritual of an Eastern religion. We Westerners are immersed in our monotheistic and therefore very rigid culture which with this rigidity has also modified our brain. Obviously we Westerners don’t realize it, but the age-old deformation of our brain is difficult to defeat. It therefore becomes difficult to think of being able to dedicate the fundamental and simple things of life to a god, such as dancing, cooking, being joyful. We are sad and contrite in the rites, we always have as a reference our God who died killed on the cross to save us… long and difficult discussion. Beautiful photos and thank you so much from this sad west!
Paolo
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Although I’ve heard of the Pongal celebration, I’m not very familiar with it. I’m clear about it after reading your post. Thank you for sharing this knowledge and the lovely photos with us. @TravellerG
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@TravellerG
Вельмі цікавая і пазнавальная інфармацыя аб фестывалі Атукал Понгала. Узрушаючая фатаграфія ідала Дэві. Заўсёды цешыць што захоўваюцца святы і традыцыі ад пакалення да пакалення.
Новых рэкордаў для ўнясення ў “Кнігу рэкордаў Гінэса”!!!
Выкананне жаданняў і працвітання!!!
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What a wonderful festival @TravellerG . Very unique as well, I have to say! Millions of ladies were gathering and preparing food with such dedication, devotion and love. Interesting to see that the Pongal or the porridge is cooked by so many ladies! And how decorative the festival is! I love to see the float, beautifully decorated with flowers, coconut leaves, and more. So colorful and elaborate. It must be interesting to be there in person! Are there any particular Goddesses worshipped on that festival, Sir?
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Wow, @TravellerG Sir! What an incredible story about the Attukal Pongala Festival! It’s so inspiring to see millions of women coming together to celebrate their faith and community. The Guinness World Record is just icing on the cake! I love that this tradition is not only about devotion, but also about passing down cultural practices and strengthening bonds. Thanks for sharing this glimpse into a truly special event! 
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If you allow me i will be shared with you my Kerala experience. @indahnuria
First - Kerala culture harmony superior in others specially in thiruvananthapuram capital Area.
Second- as my knowledge thiruvananthapuram lot of small & Big temple Godess bhagwataye ( Bhagwati - bhawani) & Pongal it’s basically (Pongal & Onam) harvest festival in Kerala & Tamilnadu & one more knowledge sharing with you in north India celebrate harvest festival as a "lohri ".
Hope this help you. @indahnuria 
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My dearest friend, @plavarda ,
I fully understand your feelings and emotions…
I’m happy that you enjoyed the post and the photos…thanks for your kind compliments…
Of course, the topic is really complicated…
But then…
Centuries of sustained peace, meditation, intellectual discourses and meticulously structured lifestyle might have been the reason for the Eastern Culture…
Especially, we (extreme) South Indians had never fought big wars like North Indians who faced many more invasions…
So, the centuries old traditions are still a part of our life…
I have least comments against the west…who wanted to explore and invade, which might have been in their blood…
Today, we have grown enough to understand these intricacies…right?
Once again thanks for your kind companionship…
Most sincerely
PS:
Feeling that you may miss this information, I’m adding THIS here - your friend has come a Meetup Champion… Just for your kind information.
Regards
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done doneee @TravellerG … It was a wonderful festival indeed
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Most welcome, dear friend @ShubhamWaman ,
Happy that you enjoyed the post and the photos…
Thanks for your kind compliments and valuable feedback.
Most sincerely
Thank you so much @ShailendraOjha … I hope I can visit Kerala and the surrounding areas soon. I do believe there are so many celebration of love, cultures, and history shared with many. Indonesia is familiar with so many parts of Indian socio-cultural sides and I’m always intrigued to learn and know more. Cheers and thank you once again
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Thank you very much for your kind words and valuable feedback, dear fellow LG @Tatsiana_T ,
Your feedback is very important to me; happy to hear that you enjoyed the post liked the photos…
Yes, many traditions and festivals are still in full swing and to me, it has been growing for the past few decades…
The festivals which were celebrated by elders, say 50 years ago are more celebrated these days… Yes, we are also feeling happy that the new gen also is enjoying these.
Once again thanks for your kind companionship.
Sincere regards
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Thank you so much for your detailed response, my dear friend @indahnuria ,
This festival is very unique for different reasons… And there are different events like the ‘Floats’, Kuthiyottam Attukal Temple (in Google search) etc and are very majestic and very enjoyable (very colourful).
Your question is very important…
Yes, Attukal Amma (Attukal Godesses) is a calm incarnation of ferocious Godesses Bhadrakali - and Bhadrakali is another form of Ma Parvati, the escort of Lord Shiva.
The legend also says that, Kannaki (Attukalamma), an ardent Tamil lady, due to her extreme fidelity to her husband (who was wrongly killed by the Madurai King) attained the Bhadrakali form, threw her breast at the people of Madurai, killing the King and burning Madurai into ashes.
She left Madurai and came & rested at Attukal where she left the fierce form - later she went & settled at Kodungallur, Kerala.
At that time, ladies cooked food for her and cooled her…this turned to be the Pongala ritual of today…
Hope, my brief is understandable to you…
I believe that our friends @ShailendraOjha @PrasadVR @Praniketmore @RaviSharma111 and @ShubhamWaman will be interested in this stories.
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Thank you so much, my dear @ModNomad for your sincere appreciation and true response.
Yes, in fact, the ritual “Pongala” is becoming extremely popular these days in the South India and World over.
There are many temples even in Bangalore, England and the USA where Pongala is celebrated on the same day.
These rituals are becoming stronger, nowadays.
Most sincerely
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Very useful information, my dear @ShailendraOjha .
Great!
Just a update…
Lohri is is celebrated towards the middle of January…in the North and in Tamil Nadu it is celebrated as Pongal (not Pongala) and Puthandu…
Very interesting topics, dear friend @indahnuria …
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Yes India is great country to learn lot of things @indahnuria most welcome my country, one more suggestion to you whenever come to India, make a plan to visit uttar Pradesh, Northern state of India to See nawabi culture & awadhi culture & cuisine & India’s heritage (अवधी तहजीब & व्यंजन) & Purvanchal for culture harmony, knowledge, heritage, & Buddha pilgrimage & many more… incredible
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Okay to update dear TG @TravellerG but both festival is harvest festival.
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@TravellerG
Thank you so much for shareing this festival topic with us. 
India that is bharat is full off it’s culture and Diversity. This festival tell us about our way of living with nature. In our culture women is respected as Devi This show that Equality and Fraternity is Core basics of our Religion and Culture. Again I Congrats you for sharing amazing post on connect. It will help foreigners to know about our custom and culture.
Keep sharing and Motivating Us to Share Great Content.
Your Friend
Ravi
जय सियाराम 
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Hvala što ste me označili gospodine @TravellerG
Uvijek je zanimljivo, korisno i lijepo čuti i vidjeti nešto potpuno novo.
Fotografije su super…
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“… plan to visit uttar Pradesh, Northern state of India to See nawabi culture & awadhi culture & cuisine & India’s heritage (अवधी तहजीब & व्यंजन) & Purvanchal for culture harmony, knowledge, heritage, & Buddha pilgrimage & many more… incredible…”
Simply superb!!!
Even, I need to study these in detail, if God permits.
Thanks for your kind prompt, my dear @ShailendraOjha .
“… both festival is harvest festival…”
Yes, very much, dear @ShailendraOjha …
Here in Tamil Nadu (basically I’m from Kerala; but have deep roots in Tamil Nadu), the Pongal is celebrated on 4 days…
Day 1: Bhogi Pongal
Day 2: Surya Pongal
Day 3: Maatu Pongal
Day 4: Kaanum Pongal
Just for your kind information…
Is there any connection like this…in the North?
Thanks