Vanchipattu.

The singers lead the ‘’Vanchipattu’’ (song) which the oarsmen will repeat and they move the oars in circular form according to its rhythm. Usually the selection will be from ‘’Kuchela vrythom Vanchipattu.’’

Example. (in malayalam) Note that The oar should make one full circle between the dashes (-).

Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney-

Oarsmen - Thei thei -thakathei thei thoy-

Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney-

Oarsmen – Thitha tha thi- thei thei,

Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Krishna

Oarsmen – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Krishna

All together – Ohh thei thei - thei thei - thei thakathoy,

Thii thitho - thiyo thikitho Thim.

Festivals.

A number of colourful festivals rich in traditions are held at Aranmula temple every year. The most important festival is the traditional palliyodam regatta (Boat festival). Three important events take place in which the Palliyodams participate. All these are solemn religious custom and there were no competitive races.

Thiruvonam.

On ‘’Thiruvonam’’ day people of Kerala celebrate it with a feast. Aranmula celebrations begin with the arrival of Thiruvonathoni (special boats) from Kattoor. For a sumptuous meal for the Lord at Aranmula, a boat with the necessary provisions, and an ever-burning lamp, set off its journey from the temple at Kattoor at 6 pm so that it could reach Aranmula temple by 4 am the next day, the Thiruonam day. At 6 pm long main rudder-oar (Adanayampu). will be presented to the temple at Kattoor and then it will be handed over to the leading oarsman. Mr.Bhattathiri of Mangaatt illam with 18 men will get into the boat and it will begin its journey to Aranmula. The boat is expected to float according to the speed of the current. The sound of the nagaswaram (musical pipe) could be heard from a distance. People from all walks of life, age and religion will assemble on the river bank and they will float lighted lamps on the river welcoming the Thiruvonathoni. It is believed that the palliyodams were built to protect this Thiruvonathoni. So early morning on Thiruvonam day all these palliyodams will accompany the Thiruvonathoni.

Uthrittathi.

It is considered that ‘’Uthrittathi’’ day is the anniversary of the installation of the idol consecrated in the south, by Pandavas. So on that day, there will be a Snake boat regatta in front of the Aranmula temple.

Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya.

254 vallasadyas were held in 2008 besides the mega feast on Ashtami Rohini. For this mega feast as many as 50,000 people from different parts of the state took part. Rice with 45 side dishes were served at the Sadya on banana leaves including the following side dishes.Another important event is the ‘’Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya’’ (banquet). It is served to the oarsmen of snakeboats at the Parthasarthy temple premises and at nearby dining hall and auditorium.

Adaprathaman. (Pudding); Aravana payasam. (Pudding made from rice, jaggery and ghee); Aval (flattened rice); Avial (Mixed vegetable curry); Banana chips; Chammanthi powder (Chutney with chillies); Chukku vellum (dried ginger water); Curd; Ellunda (gingelly ball); Fried banana; Ghee; Ginger curry; Holy water from river Pampa; Kaalhen (curry made from curds); Kaalipazham payasam (Pudding made of banana); Kalkandum (Sugar candy); Kadala Prathaman (made of Bengal gram) ; Kychadi (Curry made of rice and gram); Mango curry; Munthiri pachadi (Curry made of grapes); Olen, (mixed curry); Pacchadi (A vegetable curry); Paal payasm (Pudding made of Milk); Pachamoru; Pulisserry (Curry prepared with thick and sour buttermilk); Resam; Red Cheera Thoran (made with a variety of amaranthus); Sambar; Thakara Thoran (Thoran with cassia tora); Unniappam .

Palliyodoms that took part in September 2009

(Maximum number of men allowed in the boat and total length of the snake boats are given in brackets.)

1. Arattupuzha. (139, .. )
2. Ayroor (125, 143’)
3. Chennithala (80, 117).
4. Cherukol (110, 99’)
5. Edanad. (.., 146)
6. Edappavur. (110, 123)
7. Edappavur –Peroor (110, 142’)
8. Edasserimala. (.., 139).
9. Edasserimala- East.. (85, 139).
10. Edayaranmula. (100,146’)
11. Edayaranmula- East. (100, 146’)
12. Kadapra. (.., ..)
13. Keezhvanmazhi (110, 139)
14. Kattoor (80, 140’)
15. Keezhukara. (.., 142’). Stern Height 20’
16. Kodiattukara. (80, ..)
17. Koipram (100, 139). 84 years old.
18. Kottathur. (60, ..)
19. Kozhencherry (100, 133’)
20. Kuriannoor. (100, 139’)
21. Lhaha. (95, 140’)
22. Malakkara (110, 143’)
23. Mallappuzhasseri (.., 99’)
24. Mangalam. (85, ..)
25. Melukara (.., 142’)
26. Maramon. (100, 142)
27. Mundan Kavu (112, …). One hundred years old.
28. Muthuvazhi. (65, ..)
29. Nedumprayar. (.., 142’)
30. Nellickal, (.., 137’)
31. Othara (81, 124’)
32. Poovathur East. (77, 124)
33. Poovathur West (104, 129’)
34. Prayaar
35. Punnamthottam (140, 144’)
36. Ranni. (.., 121’)
37. Thekkemuri (112, 137’)
38. Thottappuzhassery. (85, ..)
39. Thymaravumkara. (64, 124)
40. Umayattukara. (110, 120’)
41. Vanmazhi. (70, 120).
42. Venpala (.., 125’)

Aranmula regatta (Vallam Kali) is part of the cultural heritage of Kerala state as a whole and Aranmula in particular.

Palliyodams (The snake boats).

Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race

Palliyodams are Aranmula’s unique Snake boats(‘’Chundan Vallam’’) which devotees hold in reverence, considering it as the divine vessel of the presiding deity in Sree Parthasarathy temple. These Palliyodams belong to different ‘’karas’’ (rustic parts) on the banks of river Pampa. Each one will usually have 4 helmsmen, rowers and singers. It is decorated with golden lace. There will be a flag and two or three ornamental umbrellas.

Construction

Locating a suitable tree preferably Anjili, cutting it down and bringing to the location for construction is the first step. Selecting an auspicious day and time work begins. All these are according to Vedas, an ancient treatise on building of wooden boats. These boats are about 100 to 138 ft in length, with the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft. and a long tapering front portion. When completed it resembles a Snake with its hood raised. Its hull is built of planks precisely 83 feet in length and six inches wide.

Care of a snake boat.

Every year the boats are oiled mainly with fish oil, coconut shell, and carbon, mixed with eggs to keep the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. The village carpenter carries out annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and represents their village.

Getting onto a snake boat.

1. Only men of the village are allowed to be in the boat.
2. Dress. White loin cloth (‘’Mundu’’) and turban .
3. No shirt and footwears.

Traditionally it will be commanded by a Kaarnavan / Karanaadhan (Village leader) with First Adanayampu and under him there will be three main oarsmen who control the movement of the boat with 12 feet long main rudder-oar (Adanayampu). Sitting two in row along the length of the Boat there will be the oarsmen, They row in rhythm of the vanchipattu (boatman's song). Standing on the platform in the middle of the boat, the main singer will lead the vanchipattu. A few singers will be with the main leader while others will stand at the middle between the oarsmen.

The Aranmula Boat Race the oldest river boat fiesta in Kerala, the south western State of India is held during Onam (August-September). It takes place at Aranmula, near a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full-throated singing and shouting watched by an exciting crowd. In 1972,snake boat races were also added to the programme of the festival. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pampa to watch the snake boat races. In 2009 forty one snake boats or chundan vallam had participated in the festival. The oarsmen sing traditional boat songs and wear white mundu and turbans. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the center make it a show of pageantry too

Aranmula Palace (

Aranmula

kottaram)

Aranmula palace is a traditional keralite palace which has a history of 150 years.

FOKANA, a consortium of Non-Residential Malayalis in the United States of America and Canada is promoting a company, Central Travancore Development Corporation (CTDC) for the overall development of Central Travancore region. CTDC is planning to build a domestic airport in Aranmula. Apart from the above specialities, Aranmula is famous for many other things like - Valla sadya, thanungu perukku. The Aranmula Tiruvaranmulayappan temple is very famous and one of the biggest in Kerala. Other small temples in Aranmula are: Ganapati Temple,Kadakal, Punnamthottam, Kuruvilakkavu, Kaippuzha, Pallimukkom etc. EDAYARANMULA:THE ORGIN OF THE PARTHA SARATHY Is a 2KM From aranmula temple on chengannur road. Very beautiful and natural place in the bank of river PAMPA. VILAKKUMADOM is located in Edayaranmula were Krishna arrived travelling through the Pampa River by a small boat made by six bamboos(arru mula )and hence the name Aranmula. From there he went to the current temple location at Aranmula. Aranmula "kodiettu" and "Pushpabhishekam" which constitute the holy procession of the idol of Krishna starts from the Vilakkumadom during festivals and ends in the "Aarattukadavu" located in the banks of pampa near the temple .

Nearby places

• Malakkara
• Edasserimala
• Erumakkadu
• Kozhipaalam
• Ayoor
• Kozhencherry
• Kidangannur
• Neervilakom
• Mallapuzhaserry
• Chengannur
• Thottapuzhassery
• Elavumthitta
• Pathanamthitta
• Theliyoor
• Vennikkulam
• Nalkalikkal
• Edayaranmula

Aranmula Pardhasaradhi Temple

Aranmula Pardhasaradhi Temple is a famous old major temple in Kerala. Main idol is Krishna, who is the leader of Arjuna in Kurukshetra War. It is believed that this temple was built near Sabarimalai near Nilackal. There is a flight of 18 steps that lead to the Eastern Tower while 57 descending steps from the Northern tower reaches the Pampa River. The temple here has fine murals from the 18th century.


Pulikkunnumala Mahadeva Temple
Pulikkunnumala Mahadeva Temple is situated nearby Aranmula. Approximately 4 km from Aranmula to reach this temple. It is build on top of a beautiful hill. We can see the far away Parthasaradhi Temple's pole, Kozhencherry town from here. The temple is very old. It's related to the story of Pandavas. They visit there and done pujas. This temple is donated by Koikkattumalayil Late Shri. Ramakrishna Pillai to the Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti, Kerala. Yearly celebrations on Mahasivaratri. Pujas are traditional and tribe.

Aranmula is known for the Vaasthu Vidya Gurukulam, the traditional way of constructing buildings. Aranmula is located on the banks of the river Pamba, which hosts another important annual event called the Maramon Convention.
The famous Aranmula Mirror, locally known as Aranmula kannadi, kannadi meaning mirror, is made here. This mirror is made out of high tin bronze.
The Place is of historical importance, the Thiruaranmula Parthsaaradhi temple. It is believed that the main idol was originally the "Thevaara vigraha"(one which was used for daily personal worship) of Arjuna the third Paandava. It is also believed that the thevaars vigrahas of the four other Paandavas are placed in the nearest four villages namely Thrchittaat, Thrppuliyoor, Thiruvanmandoor near Chengannur, Thrkkodithaanam near Changanassery.

The Aranmula Vallamkali, the wold famous water carnival is the main important event related to this place. It started in relation with the thiruvonathoni which starts on Uthraadam (day before Onam)evening from Kaattoor Mahavishnu temple with provisions for the 'Nivedyam' and 'samoohasadya' (mass feast)on Thiruvonam at the temple.The provisions are offered by the Mangattu Bhattathiry, thekaranavar (the eldest member) of Mangattu Illom.(There is a legend also behind this.) Previously the Mangattu Illom was situated near Kaattoor temple and now it is at Kumaranalloor near Kottayam. There will be a representative from the family on the thoni (canoe), as a part of tradition. It is a nice sight to see the thoni moving down the river Pampa without rowing. The thoni is symbolic of Garuda the vehicle of Lord vishnu

Aranmula

Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta District . Nearby important places are Pathanamthitta (10 km) and Chengannur (10km). The nearest railway station is at Chengannur and airports are at Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. It is the venue of the annual Snake boat race on the Pampa river. Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors, known as Aranmula kannadi. The palace at aranmula (Aranmula kottaram) has a history of 200 years.