Hy Local Guides, 
Happy Women’s Month 
to all the incredible women in our Local Guides community. 
As we kick off this month of empowerment, I am writing to you from the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 
, where the streets have been transformed into a massive, sacred kitchen. Today marks the 9th day of the 10-day Attukal Utsavam of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple 
: The World-Famous Attukal Pongala.
The World’s Largest Women’s Festival
A traditional stove created using three bricks, serving as the foundation for the ritual. Photo courtesy to @TravellerG & @LathaKN.
Attukal Pongala is not just a festival; it is a Guinness World Record holder 
for the Largest Annual Religious gathering of Women . Today, millions of women from all walks of life have gathered to cook an offering for the Goddess Attukalamma. As our fellow Local Guide @TravellerG beautifully detailed in his post, “Pongala” means "to boil over”.
It is a sweet ritual dish made of rice, jaggery & coconut, prepared in earthen pots 
over brick hearths. When the pot boils over, it symbolizes prosperity and the blessings of the Divine Mother.
A Special Meeting: The Spirit of Local Guides 
The highlight of my day was meeting a very special devotee, @LathaKN (wife of @TravellerG). Seeing her perform the Pongala rituals today was a beautiful reminder of the personal stories behind the millions. It felt like a true “Local Guides family ” moment. Meeting LathaKN amidst the thousands of hearths and the chants of devotees made this experience truly unforgettable & memorable.
Have you ever been part of a festival that celebrates women’s unity like this? Let’s celebrate the power of women together this month with the community.
