The name 'Pongala' means 'to boil over' and refers to the ritualistic offering of porridge made of rice, jaggery, coconut gratings, nuts and raisins. The offering of Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu.



The women in the Malayalam month of Meenam on Aswathy nakshatra day submit/offer ‘Pongala’ to the Valiyakulangara Amma. In the afternoon children along with the ‘Kettukazhcha’ and accompanied by traditional orchestra reach the temple. On The next day (Bharani of Meenam), it is believed that Amma goes to Kodungallur and the temple remain closed from 10 am and reopens only on the next day.