The temple’s annual ten day festival was celebrated at Parthasarathy Temple in Aranmula Thiruvaaranvilai divya desam. The festival commences with the kodiyettam (flag hoisting) and concludes with Arattu (the holy dip of the image of the deity) in the Pamba river. Several rituals like Garudavahana ezhunallathu a colourful procession will be held on the fifth day, cultural programmes like Kathakali in the evening of the sixth day, the Pallivetta or holy hunt, accompanied by five caparisoned elephants on the penultimate day etc. are part of the celebrations.
The Parthasarathy temple dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna in his role as the charioteer of Arjuna in the great war of Mahabharatha Partha (Arjuna), Sarathi (Charioteer). The shrine is more popular for its annual vallomkali (boat race) known as Aranmula Vallomkali held during the Onam season. 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.
The Story
The 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.
The most magnificent sight to behold. I was here in March 2012 and am till today fascinated by the beauty of it all. I am a Malayalee residing in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. My father was one M.G. Pillai from Trivandrum.
Please keep up the good work.