Here, ritual meets rhythm, and devotion flows like the river itself.
The Name and the River: A Tale of Origins
The name Aranmula carries the fragrance of myth and memory. One version says Bhagwan Sree Krishna arrived here on a chadakudam (raft) made of six bamboo poles - “aaru” means six, and “mula” means bamboo in Malayalam. Another explanation stems from the term Thiru Aarum Vilayil - “Thiru” denoting sacredness, “Aaru” for river, and “Vila” for fertile land.
The sacred Pampa River, revered in Hindu traditions, flows as the lifeline of this land. It is along its banks that the village flourished - culturally, ritually, and spiritually.
When History Wears the Garb of Myth
Like most traditions rooted in time and faith, Aranmula’s legacy is not a straight line. History and mythology mingle here like tributaries in a river - inseparable, flowing together.
During a historic conflict between the kingdoms of Kayamkulam and Chembakassery, King Devanarayan of Chembakassery turned to a legendary craftsman - Kodipunna Venkida Narayanan Assari. Based on the ancient text Sthapathya Veda, the craftsman designed a remarkable war vessel: the Chundan Vallam - long, sleek, and built to glide like a serpent.
Measuring between 100 and 138 feet, the boat’s rear towers nearly 20 feet high, while its front narrows to a pointed elegance. Built with 83 foot long planks precisely six inches wide, these boats, with their centuries-old blueprint, are still built exactly the same way, living testaments to Kerala’s mastery of sacred engineering.
The Story Behind the Feast
Behind this majestic legacy of oars and water lies the legend of the feast.
In the Mangattu Illam of Kattoor, a tradition called Kalukazhikichooti was observed on Thiruvonam day - washing the feet of Brahmins and offering them food. One year, not a single Brahmin came. Distressed, Mangattu Bhattathiri prayed fervently. Then, a young Brahmin boy appeared, and the host fulfilled the rituals.
That night, Bhagwan appeared in Bhattathiri’s dream and said, “From now, bring your feast to Me at Aranmula.” Thus was born the tradition of carrying the Onasadya to the Parthasarathy Temple via the river, in a boat called the Thiruvona Thoni.
The Sacred Boat with Garuda on Its Bow
The Thiruvona Thoni is no ordinary boat. Adorned with a figure of Garuda, the divine vehicle of Mahavishnu, it begins its journey from the Kattoor Mahavishnu Temple, located about 12 kilometers from Aranmula. Each year, it departs on the Uthradam day, reaching the temple by dawn on Thiruvonam, bringing with it all the provisions for the sacred feast.
One year, the vessel was attacked mid-journey by robbers. But local snake boats came to its defense and rescued it. From that day onward, community escort boats joined the sacred mission - a tradition that grew and grew. Today, 52 Karas (village regions) send their boats to escort the Thiruvona Thoni - a flotilla of faith, gliding in synchronized reverence.
The Oarsmen: Disciples in Disguise
The men who row the Palliyodams - the sacred snake boats are not just athletes or performers. They are ritual participants, entering into a sacred discipline before taking to the water. This discipline is known as Vridham, a sacred vow that includes:
Abstinence from meat, liquor, and sensual indulgence
Purity in body, mind, and word
Obedience to temple traditions and elders
These men live together in simplicity, rising early, engaging in prayer, practicing their boat movements in sync. Their strength is not aggressive, it is meditative. Each oar stroke is a surrender; each movement, a form of prayer.
This is Tapasya - austerity in motion. The body becomes the first temple. The act of rowing becomes an act of worship.
Body, River, and Ritual - A Harmony in Motion
The beauty of the Aranmula tradition lies not just in spectacle, but in its inner meaning. From the vow of purity to the thundering rhythm of the snake boats, to the divine feast, every step is part of a ritual choreography.
This is not feasting after fasting.
This is feasting as fasting where service, discipline, and community lead to collective fulfillment.
The feast is not a reward for pleasure. It is an offering born of restraint, a sacred circle where body, community, and divinity meet in celebration.
Growing Glory: From Local Ritual to Global Attention
Today, Aranmula is celebrated far and wide - not just for its Onam rituals, but also for its Aranmula Kannadi (the famed metal mirror), which has received the Geographical Indication tag for its uniqueness.
With each passing year, the number of devotees and cultural admirers grows. The name Aranmula is now a symbol - of devotion, discipline, tradition, and living heritage.
Vallasadya: The Sacred Feast
The Vallasadya is a grand, ritualistic feast offered to Parthasarathy, organized by devotees and boatmen. It is conducted on several auspicious occasions, mainly:
Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya
Held on the day of Sri Krishna’s birth, this version of the Vallasadya is open to all - a true annadanam, where every devotee present is fed with love and reverence. It symbolizes Krishna’s divine hospitality and generosity. On the eve of Ashtami Rohini, Aramula waits in devotion and anticipation. The boats rest upon the Pampa, the temple readies it's lamps, and the village prepares it's heart for Krishna's joyous day.
Onam Season Vallasadya
During Onam, the Vallasadya is offered especially to the Palliyodakkar - the oarsmen - and selected invitees. Devotees can register and sponsor this offering. Although the names differ, the spirit remains the same: offering to the Bhagwan by serving His people.
The feast is served on banana leaves after the Ucha Pooja (noon ritual) in the temple, with over sixty-four traditional dishes. Each leaf becomes a sacred canvas, painted with the colors, tastes, and textures of Kerala’s culinary heritage.
References:
- Parthasarathy Temple Festival Records
- Oral Narratives from Aranmula Oarsmen (Palliyodakkar)
- Kerala Folklore Academy Notes on Vallam Kali
- Cultural Ecology and Ritual Feasts of Kerala, Anthropological Survey of India, 2022
- Sacred Geography of the Pampa River, University of Calicut Folklore Dept., 2017
- Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India
- Menon S. A Survey of Kerala History (1967), Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society
- A Study on Aranmula – The Land of Six Bamboos by Sreekanta Parida, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
