The annual ritualistic feast, Vallasadya, at the Divya Desam in Kerala, Sree Parthasarathy Temple situated on the banks of river Pampa at Aranmula will begin on July 30.
Vallasadya is an important ritualistic offering of a sumptuous feast by the devotees to the presiding archa murthi at the Aranmula temple during the annual Onam festival season organised by the Palliyoda Seva Sanghom (PSS) in association with the Travancore Devaswom Board, the temple administrative body. The feast is offered to the crew of Palliyodams (specially built snakeboats) taking them as representatives of Lord Parthasarathy.
Uthradom Tirunaal Marthanda Varma of the erstwhile Travancore royal dynasty will formally inaugurate the Vallasadya at the Aanakkottil of the Parthasarathy Temple immediately after the Utchapuja on July 30.
The snakeboat crew will reach the temple to accept the feast offered to them by a devotee. They will be accorded a customary reception at the temple ghats and will be escorted to the temple premises with the accompaniments of traditional percussion and Thalappoli.
The oarsmen will offer Nirapara (a measure of threshed paddy), tobacco and betel leaves before the golden temple mast and circumambulate the temple, singing Vanchippattu (songs in praise of Lord Krishna).
Sanghom president K. V. Sambadevan said the maximum number of Vallasadya to be offered too has been fixed at 15 on a daily basis with a view to avoid overcrowding. As many as 48 different items of side dishes, fried items, sweets and payasom will be served at this unique ritualistic feast.
Booking open
Sanghom president K. V. Sambadevan said devotees could book their Vallasadya vazhipadu (offering) at the PSS office infront of the Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula ( 9995866432, 9447408260)
Ashtami-Rohini Vallasadya
The annual mega mass feast, Aahtami-Rohini Valalsadya, will be held in connection with the Janmashtami day on September 8. As many as 50,000 people, including the snakeboat crew are expected to take part in the annual event to be held immediately after the Utchapuja.
The season of Vallasadya will come to a close on October 2, said Mr Ratheesh R.Mohan, PSS secretary.
Located about 10kms East of Chengannur Divya Desam on the Southern banks of the Pamba river is the Thirukuralappan Divya Desam in Aranmula. This Divya Desam is referred to as Thiru Vaaran Vilai and symbolises Arjuna’s thanks giving gesture to his sarathy (charioteer) Krishna who guided him through the Mahabaratha war.
Pandavas who visited different Divya Desams in Kerala built one temple each in these Divya Desams in the Chengannur- Changanacheri area. These temples (Divya Desams) are now popularly referred to as ‘Anj-Ambalam’ by the devotees here.
The Parthasarathy Perumal Koil in Thiruvaaranvilai in Aranmula was built by Arjuna, who came here at the end of the Mahabaratha war to undertake penance repenting for the killings of his relatives, especially his brother Karna, who he unceremoniously killed when his chariot was grounded to the earth.
Brahmma is also said to have undertaken penance at this place wanting to have darshan of Lord Vishnu in his Vamana Avataram and as a thanking gesture for having secured back the Vedic Scriptures from the asuras.
Tulabharam, an age old practice, continues to take place at this temple and one can see the big Tulabharam hanging as one enters the temple from the eastern side.
Festivals
10 day Brahmotsavam in January
Big Pushpa Abhishekam in May
12 day Kalapam Festival in November when the Lord is decorated completely with Chandanam is a beautiful sight to watch
In March every year, the Goddess(Devi) from Punnan Thottam temple, about a km east of this temple visits Lord Parthasarathy at the Aranmula Divya Desam and the two are seen together for a day.
Quick Facts
Deity : Thiru Kural Appan East Facing Standing Posture
Goddess : Padmasini Thaayar
Azhvaar : NamAzhvaar- 11(3436-46)
Temple Time : 5am-11am and 5pm-8pm
Priest : Krishna Kumar Namboodari
Contact telephone number : 94471 16689 or 0468 2212170
How to reach Aranmula:
10kms East of Chengannur. There are state transport buses to this Divya Desam from the Chengannur bus stand, opposite the railway station. One can reach the temple in about 30minutes by bus.
Taxi to cover 6 Divya Desams
It is better to take a taxi from the railway station and cover the 6 Divya Desams in one half of the day. The taxi to cover Puliyoor, Thiru Chittaru, Aranmula, Thiruvanvandur, Thiruvalla and Changanacheri (Arputha Narayana Perumal) will cost Rs.600/-.
It will take about 20minutes by car to reach the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple from Chengannur Thiruchitraru Divya Desam. Almost the entire stretch runs alongside the Pamba river.
News source: TheHindu
