Attukal Pongala: KSRTC to facilitate smooth travel of pilgrims

Kottayam: The Budget Tourism Cell (BTC) of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced a special service from here to facilitate the smooth travel of devotees proceeding to take part in the pongala ceremony, as part of the revered Attukal Pongala festival being held in the state capital. The low-floor AC bus will leave Kottayam for Thiruvananthapuram at 9 pm on February 24 as part of the ‘Round Trip’ project. Arrangements will be made to facilitate the pilgrims to perform ‘pongala’ at the premises of the KSRTC depots, falling within the 10-km jurisdiction of the temple.

“The devotees can perform the ritual without the hassle and bustle of the crowd. They can also return by the same bus and thus travel comfortably. The ticket price is Rs 1050 per person,” said Binoj B Chandran, BTC Programme Co-ordinator. All pilgrims will be offered all facilities, including the use of toilet complex of employees, he said.

This is the only service being operated by the Budget Tourism cell from the district during the festival. Millions of women from different parts of the state and outside take part in the 10-day-long Attukal Pongala, which kicked off on February 17. The Pongala ceremony will be held on February 25.