I have grown up watching Attukal Devi Temple and Attukal Pongala attaining international recognition and fame. Having lived close to the temple and earning a living near its premises, I can’t think of a life dissociated from it. I have been selling pooja articles just outside the premises of the temple for the last 15 years. After finishing my class 12, I didn’t go for further studies owing to several reasons. Instead, I decided to start something on my own.
Fresh flower garlands, wicks, camphor, lamps, oil, and kumkum are available at my shop. Silk cloth and silk skirts, which are offered to the goddess, are also stocked. I get the cloth from Madurai and the skirts from Chala market. Everyday I open the shop at 5 a.m., even if it is a festival season or not. My day starts by praying at the temple. My shop is open till 12 noon. Then it is work from 4 p.m. till 8 p.m. During the Pongala season, my morning session goes on till 1 p.m. and the evening session till 10 p.m.
My life revolves around the temple. Every year we all look forward to the Pongala festival, a time when women, cutting across age and religious barriers from across the state and outside, turn up to offer Pongala and seek the Devi’s blessings. The number of devotees turning up is increasing every year and naturally that helps my business.
But, over the years similar shops have sprung up near the temple and even on the road leading to the temple. And during the Pongala, many temporary shops come up.
When I opened my shop, there were hardly one or two shops selling pooja goods. Now, traders cash in on the festival season.
Naturally, there is competition. Now that there is another road (Attukal Bund Road connecting Attukal to Killippalam) leading to the temple, the entire trading community has been divided into two, which eventually affects the business.
Still, I am able to earn a decent income. There are days when I get around Rs. 1,000, especially on Sundays when the temple is crowded. I am able to look after my father, Surendran, wife, Lakshmi, and my three-and-half year old daughter, Lakshmipriya. Irrespective of the bad days I have at work, I’d love to work here for as long as I can. There is nothing more gratifying and satisfying than spending so much time close to the Attukal temple.
(A weekly column on men and women who make Thiruvananthapuram what it is)
