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.