Aranmula Mandir, Kerala, IN

Deities: Lord Krishna
Location: Tiruvalla, Kerala
Also known as: Parthasarthi Temple
Famous for: Snake boat races
Best time to visit: August-September

Aranmula is traditional Village in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala State India and about 110KM North from Trivandrum ,the State Capital and 125 Km South from Cochin. Aranmula is famous for Aranmula Metal Mirror and the centuries old Vaishnavite temple, the Shree Parthasarathy temple on the banks of the Holy River Pampa, is fast turning into a cultural tourism centre in the State with growing number of foreign tourists visiting the place.

Legend:
Legend has it that the Pandava princes, after crowning Parikshit left on a pilgrimage of India, and in Kerala, each of these brothers installed Vishnu on the banks of the Pampa and nearby places and offered worship. (Chengannur - Yuddhishtra, Tiruppuliyur - Bheema, Aranmula - Arjuna, Tiruvamundur - Nakula and Tirukkadittaanam - Sahadeva). It is said that Arjuna built this temple at Nilackal near Sabarimalai. And the image was brought here in a raft made of six pieces of bamboo to this site, and hence the name Aranmula (six pieces of bamboo).

This temple, to expiate for the sin of having killed Karna on the battlefield, against the dharma of killing an unarmed enemy. It is also believed that Vishnu (here) revealed the knowledge of creation to Brahma from whom the Madhukaitapa demons stole the Vedas.

There is yet another legend associated with Parthasarathy here. On the ninth dayof the battle of Kurukshetra, the Kauravas reigned supreme under the leadership of Bheeshma, when Krishna motivated Arjuna to take initative and vanquish his foe. Upon his hesitating to do so, Krishna jumped down in rage, and took up his discus; seeing this sight Bheeshma surrendered to him and Arjuna beseeched him not to kill Bheeshma, as it would bave been against Krishna's vow to take up arms in his battle. It is believed that it is this image of Krishna that is enshrined here, with a discus.

Aranmula temple is famous for its Aranmula "kannadi", which is basically a mirror engulfed by some exquisite metal works. "Kannadi" is Malayalam for mirror and this kind of mirror work is found exclusively in Aranmula and nowhere in the world. If you happen to visit Aranmula, buy these beautiful mirrors that are available in all shapes and sizes. The Aranmula Temple is famous for its murals, which were carved out during the 18th century. It is a soul satisfying experience and one that you shall never forget in your life.

Festival & Event:
The Aranmula Vallamkali, the world famous water carnivals – boat race is the main important event related to this place, during the Onam season. This temple is located on the banks of the river Pampa. A tradition of sending an offering of rice and other material required for a feast from a nearby village, on a water boat relates to the origin of this festival and this tradition is continued even today (this is related to a legend in which a devotee fed a hungry pilgrim, who directed him to send food to Aranmula and disappeared, revealing that he was none other than Vishnu).

Snake boats accompany the sacred boat. Snake boats from 39 Karas from Chennithala in the west to Ranni in the east participate in the water sport Vellamkali. These boats assemble since dawn and sail in pairs for about 2 hours. A snake boat is about 103 feet in length. Each boat has about 4 helmsmen 100 rowers and 25 singers. After the water sport there is an elaborate feast in the Aranmula temple.

Another festival celebrated here is the Khandavanadahanam celebrated in the Malayalam month of Dhanus. For this festival, a replica of a forest is created in front of the temple with dried plants, leaves and twigs. This bonfire is lit, symbolic of the Khandavana forest fire of the Mahabharata.

This festival where Aranmula Parthasarathy is taken in a grand procession on the garuda mount to the Pampa river bank, where an image of the Bhagawati from the nearby Punnamthode temple is brought in procession for the arattu festival.

Vijnana Kala Vedi, a school of traditional art founded by French artist Louba Child, is in Aranmula, on the way to Kozhencherry.

Other small temples in Aranmula are:
Ganapati Temple
Kadakal
Punnamthottam
Kuruvilakkavu
Kaippuzha
Pallimukkom

How to reach:
by Air: the nearest airports are at Trivandrum and Cochin and Aranmula can be reached easily. Cochin which is 110 km away.
by Rail: Nearest railway station Chengannur, this is about 1O km away. The three railway junctions in Cochin are Ernakulam town, Cochin harbor and Ernakulam junction.
by Road: Cochin is well connected by a wide network of roads and Aranmula is easily accessible once you reach Cochin. You can always hire local transport and reach Aranmula.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.