Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Railways and the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation have announced special services for the world-renowned ‘Pongala’ festival to be celebrated at Attukal Temple in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday (March 7).

According to the authorities of Southern Railway’s Thiruvananthapuram division, three special trains will conduct services on Tuesday for the benefit of devotees taking part in the festival. Moreover, additional stops have been allowed for regular trains.

Devotees offering prayers at the Attukal temple. Photo: Manorama/Rinkuraj Mattancheriyil
Devotees offering prayers at the Attukal temple. Photo: Manorama/Rinkuraj Mattancheriyil

Yet another facility arranged by the railway is extra second-class general compartments in three unreserved express trains on March 6 and 7.

The following are the three special trains on March 7 and their stops:

Ernakulam Junction – Thiruvananthapuram

Departure from Ernakulam Junction at 1.45 am and arrival at Thiruvananthapuram Central at 6.30 am.

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Stops: Piravom Road (2.20 am); Vaikom (2.26 am); Ettumanoor (2.42 am); Kottayam (2.55 am); Changanassery (3.13 am); Thiruvalla (3.24 am); Chengannur (3.35 am); Mavelikkara (3.47 am); Kayamkulam (3.58 am); Karunagappally (4.13 am); Kollam (4.40 am); Mayyanad (4.55 am); Paravur (5 am); Varkala (5.11 am); Kadakkavoor (5.22 am); Chirayinkeezhu (5.27 am); Murukkumpuzha (5.35 am); Kaniyapuram (5.39 am); Kazhakkoottam (5.45 am); Kochuveli (5.53 am) and Pettah (6 am).

Thiruvananthapuram – Ernakulam Junction

This special train has been announced for the benefit of devotees leaving Thiruvananthapuram after performing the ‘pongala’ ritual. The departure from Thiruvananthapuram Central is 3.30 pm on March 7 and arrival at Ernakulam Junction is 8.15 pm. It will have all the stops as the Ernakulam – Thiruvananthapuram Special train.

Thiruvananthapuram – Nagercoil

The third special train announced by the railway starts from Thiruvananthapuram at 2.45 pm on March 7 and is scheduled to arrive at Nagercoil at 4.30 pm. This train will stop at Nemom, Balaramapuram, Neyyattinkara, Amaravila, Dhanuvachapuram, Parassala, Kuzhithura West, Kuzhithura, Palliyadi and Eraniel.

KSRTC special services

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Various depots of the KSRTC also will be conducting special services to enable women devotees travel to Thiruvananthapuram to offer ‘pongala’. These schedules are being arranged under the supervision of the Budget Tourism Cell of the KSRTC.

The special services from Alappuzha district will start from the respective depots by around 3 am on March 7. Devotees can board the same buses to return to their hometowns after the ritual.

The ticket rates from some depots are:

Edathua, Haripad, Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara and Chengannur: Rs 550

Alappuzha: Rs 650

Cherthala: Rs 750

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For more details, contact the Alappuzha district coordinator on 9846475874.

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