Special Trains & Buses, Traffic Diversions Announced As Devotees Throng Kerala For Attukal Pongala — Details

To accommodate the large influx of women devotees for Attukal Pongala festival, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) deployed 300 special bus services across major routes.

The Attukal Pongala festival, a symbol of devotion and cultural heritage, saw lakhs of women gather to prepare the traditional Pongala offering.

Source : PTI

Attukal Pongala 2025: Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, witnessed an overwhelming surge of devotees as the revered Attukal Pongala festival unfolded with grandeur. In anticipation of the massive turnout, authorities rolled out extensive traffic regulations and special transport services to facilitate the movement of pilgrims.

Train & Buses For Attukal Pongala 

To accommodate the large influx of women devotees, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) deployed 300 special bus services across major routes, ensuring seamless travel to and from the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. Additional services covered key locations within Thiruvananthapuram and neighboring districts, catering to the increased demand during the festival.

Indian Railways also introduced special train services, enhancing connectivity for devotees arriving from different parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Extra trains were operated from Ernakulam Junction to Thiruvananthapuram Central, while trains bound for Nagercoil and Kollam were scheduled with additional stops at Thiruvananthapuram North and Pettah stations, reported On Manorama. Premium trains like the Vande Bharat and Jan Shatabdi Express also made special halts to accommodate festival-goers.

Traffic Diversions 

Given the massive crowds, the city’s traffic police implemented a series of road closures and diversions to ensure safety and smooth movement. Key roads, including Killipalam-Padassery-Attukal Bund Road and Attakulangara-Kamaleswaram Road, Konchiravila-Attukal road and Attakulangara-Eanchakkal road, remained closed to regular vehicular traffic, reported The New Indian Express. Several other arterial roads witnessed restrictions, allowing only emergency and festival-related vehicles.

To maintain order, a contingent of 4,500 police personnel was deployed across the city, assisting with crowd management, security surveillance, and traffic control. Dedicated medical teams and fire and rescue units were also stationed at multiple points to respond to any emergencies.

The Attukal Pongala festival, a symbol of devotion and cultural heritage, saw lakhs of women gather to prepare the traditional Pongala offering. The event, which has set Guinness World Records for its scale, continues to draw participants from across India and beyond.