Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple
In Kerala State, one of the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Krishna is the ‘Partha Sarathy Temple’ at Aranmula. In Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, the idol of Lord Krishna is in the form of Partha Sarathy (Charioteer of Arjuna, in the Kurukshetra war).
This temple is situated at a higher level, on the left bank of the Pampa River, a river famous as the last destination of pilgrims going to the “Sree Dharmasastha” (Ayyappa) Temple, at Sabarimala. Almost all pilgrims take a holy bath in the Pampa River after that, ascending the Hill shrine of Sabarimala, on foot. Some people offer oblations to the departed souls of their ancestors on the banks of river Pampa.
Google Maps Location of the temple
Legend
Legend has it that, Pandavas after the coronation of Pareekshit as king, went on a pilgrimage throughout India, and on reading Kerala, each one of the Pandavas built a Maha Vishnu Temple here. Yudhishtira built a temple at Trichitattu, Bheema, at Thrippulliyoor, Arjuna at Neelakkal, Nakula at Tiruvammandoor and Sahadeva at Trikkodithanam.
It is believed that the idol of Lord Krishna, in the form of Partha Sarathy, was brought to the present site on a raft (boat) made of six bamboos, and installed and consecrated with all attendant rituals at the present site, and the place came to be known as ‘Aranmula’ (six pieces of bamboos).
Important Festivals
The important festivals in the Temple are : Ashtami Rohini (Janmashtami), Thiruvonam, Makara Sankranthi, Ponnumthottathu arattu, Ramayana Parayanam. Out of the above festivals, the most important ones are Ashtami Rohini and Thiruvonam.
This temple has a long tradition, connected with the famous Sree Ayyappa Temple, at Sabarimala. The sacred jewels of Lord Ayyappa (Thiruvabharanam), which are taken in a grand procession from the Panadlam Palace, are kept here for a while, before taking them to Sabarimala.
The ‘Tanka Ankhi’ (golden attire) donated by the king of Travancore to Lord Ayyappa, are stored in this temple and are taken to Sabarimala during Mamdalavillakku.
Palliyodams
These are Aranmula’s unique snake boats (known as Chundan Vallams). These are held by devotees in great esteem and reverence, as the divine vessels of Lord “Sree Parthasarathy”. These belong to different places on the banks of the Pampa River, and each will have a separate flag, 2/3 ornament umbrellas, four helmsmen, towers and singers.
The making of Palliyodams begins with locating a suitable tree, preferably Anjali, cutting it down to size, and taken to the construction site.
The work starts on an auspicious day (muhurtham). Each boat will have a length of 100 – 138 ft. with its rear portion with a height of 20 ft and a long tapering portion. It resembles a snake with its hood raised. Its hull is built of planks 83 ft. in length and six inches wide.
These Palliyodams are oiled every year with fish oil, coconut shell and carbon. Each Palliyodam is named after a particular village.
Ashtami Rohini (Janmashtami)
The most important festival in this temple is Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Sree Krishna). On this day, a unique mass feast, which has devotional moorings, is given to the crew of Palliyodams at “Sree Partha Sarathy Temple” at Aranmula. Vallasadhya is conducted as a ‘Vazhivadu’ (offering) to the Lord.
A large number of Palliyodams (snake boats) will arrive at the temple ghat and the carsmen offer Mirapara (filling of a vessel with paddy/rice) at Nadappanthal near the golden flag post, and after offering prayers, they circumambulate the temple, singing folk sings (Vanchi pattu) praising Lord Krishna.
After Ucha Pooja and Nivedyam (noon offerings), a grand feast is served to the devotees, numbering nearly a lakh, with rice and 44 side dishes and four types of puddings, served on banana leaves. Before this, the Melsanthi (chief priest) of the temple transfers the sacred fire from the Sanctum Sanctorum to the temple kitchen, to begin preparations for the feast.
The 44 side dishes consist of banana chips, Aval (flattened rice with jaggery mixed), ghee, Avial (mixed vegetable curry), Olen (mixed vegetable curry with coconut milk), kalan (curry with curd/buttermilk) mango curry, Kichidi (curry made with rice and gram) etc. Adaprathaman, Aravana Payasam, Kadala Prathaman and Kadali Prathaman are the puddings served to the devotees, that day.
Thiruvonam
‘Thiruvonam’, which falls in the month of Chingam, (August-September) is the most important festival of Malayalees. This is celebrated in memory of the demon king, Mahabali, when there are all-around prosperity, equality, discrimination based on caste, creed or status and there were no evils of theft, telling of lies, cheating etc.
When Lord Maha Vishnu, in his Avatar as ‘Lord Vamana’, vanquished Mahabali and sent him to the nether world, Mahabali sought and obtained a boon to visit his subjects on ‘Thiruvonam’ day, which was readily grants.
People of Kerala start welcoming Mahabali from the star ‘Atham’ for 10 days by offering Pookkalam (ornamental flower arrangement) in front of their homes until the day of ‘Thiruvonam’, on which day there will be a grand feast.
At Aranmula “Sree Partha Sarathy” Temple, Onam is celebrated by holding ‘Thiruvona Sadhya, after special poojas at noon. A day before Thriuvonam, i.e., Uttarashada star day, a specially decorated boat called “Thiruvoni Thoni”, carrying provisions and vegetables for ‘Ona sadhya’ at the Aranmula Temple, starts its journey from Kattoor Maha Vishnu Temple – Ghat at 6.00 p.m.
The eldest member of Mangattu, Bhattathiri, with 18 of his Assistants, board the Boat and this reaches Aranmula in the early hours of Thriuvonam day. There will be an every burning lamp in the boat. Throughout the journey of the boat, there will be Nadaswaram recital and will be escorted by many Palliyodams.
People will be thronging the river bank for a darshan of this divine vessel and will offer prayers by floating lighting lamps in the river. On reaching Aranmula temple, Melsanthi of the temple, transfers the sacred fire from the Sanctum Santorum to the ceremonial lamp kept in the boat and the provisions and vegetables will be carried to the temple kitchen for preparing of food and side dishes.
After the Ucha Pooja and Nivedyam (noon offering) a sumptuous feast will be served to all the devotees.
Aranmula Vallamkali – Boat Race
Aranmula Vallamkali (boat race) is a world-famous water carnival originating in the temple rituals. It is believed that the installation and consecration of the Idol of Lord “Sree Partha Sarathy” at Aranmula was on Uthruttathi star. The boat race is held in commemoration of this, every year.
This is one of the most important water carnivals in Kerala.
Aranmula Kannadi (Mirror)
Aranmula is also famous for its mirror, which is popularly known as ‘Aranmula Kannadi’, though instead of glass, it is made of five metals with a front surface reflecting mirror. The exact used in preparing this mirror is still unknown. Legend says that this area’s then chieftain (ruler) brought craftsmen from Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu and one of their descendants made the mirror.
Let us all pray to Lord “Sree Partha Sarathy” to guide us in our tribulations, as he did in the case of Arjuna.
