Chakkulathukavu Temple

Chakkulathukavu Temple is a temple to the goddess Durga at Neerattupuram in Thalavady panchayat, Alappuzha district, on the bank of the Pampa river, about 9 km from Thiruvalla railway station. It was once only the family shrine of a local resident, but since its renovation a few decades ago it has become one of the best-known temples in Kerala, drawing pilgrims from across the south of India.

The great festival is the Pongala in Vrischikam (November–December), when lakhs of women gather, some arriving a week early, and set up their hearths along both sides of the main roads in a queue that can stretch for 20 km. They cook rice, coconut and jaggery in earthen pots, and the main hearth is lit by the chief priest with fire from the sanctum, the flame then passing from hearth to hearth. The temple also observes Panthrandu Noyampu, twelve days of fasting and prayer from the first of Dhanu, along with Naree Pooja and Thrikkarthika.