Kerala gears up for Attukal Pongala with extensive medical and safety arrangements

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday said comprehensive medical and safety arrangements have been put in place for the Attukal Pongala festival , scheduled to be held on March 3 in the state capital.

Attukal Pongala , held at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, is considered one of the largest gatherings of women devotees in the world . Lakhs of women participate in the ritual of preparing Pongala, a sweet offering of rice, jaggery and coconut in earthen pots along roadsides and public spaces across the city. The festival has earned recognition for its massive scale of participation.

Given the huge turnout and prolonged outdoor exposure near open fires amid rising temperatures , the Health Department has stepped up preparedness to prevent dehydration, heatstroke, fatigue and other medical emergencies.

According to an official statement, arrangements are being coordinated under the District Medical Officer to ensure prompt assistance. On the day of Pongala, medical teams and ambulances will be deployed at 10 locations across the city. In addition, 108 ambulance services with emergency medical technicians will operate from 5 am until the rituals conclude.

For rapid response, four bike-based first responder teams, a Gurkha ambulance and bike feeder ambulances have also been arranged. Special control rooms have been opened at the District Medical Office and near the Attukal temple, with health staff posted at the Collectorate control room.

In view of high temperatures, 12 hospitals have been equipped to treat heat-related ailments, and coolers and other facilities have been installed at health centres. Support from private hospitals in the Attukal area has also been ensured.

The minister urged devotees to drink water regularly and seek medical help if they experience fatigue, headache, dizziness or breathlessness .

Meanwhile, the Food Safety Department has intensified checks to ensure safe and hygienic food distribution . Registration has been made mandatory for annadanam , with 187 registrations completed . A special Food Safety control room and a ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ mobile lab have been deployed. Medical camps by the Ayurveda and Homoeopathy departments will also function during the festival.