The Aranmula Boat festival is the oldest river boat festival in

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

, the southwestern State of

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

is held during Onam (August–September). It takes place at

Aranmula Aranmula is a temple town in the state of Kerala, India. It is known as the cultural capital of Pathanamthitta district, located at a distance of around 116 km from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, it is situated on the banks of t ...

, near Sri Parthasarady Temple dedicated to

Lord Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is wi ...

and

Arjuna Arjuna (, , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, �ɾd͡ʒun̪ə is one of the central characters of the ancient Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. He is the third of the five Pandava brothers, and is widely regarded as the most important and renowned among them. ...

in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala State. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full-throated singing and shouting watched by an exciting crowd. In 1972, snake boat races were also added to the program of the festival, hence the name Aranmula Boat Race. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the river

Pampa The Pampas (; from Quechuan languages, Quechua 'plain'), also known as the Pampas Plain, are fertile South American low grasslands that cover more than and include the Argentina, Argentine Provinces of Argentina, provinces of Buenos Aires Pro ...

to watch the snake boat races. In 2019 Fifty Two snake boats or Palliyodams had participated in the festival. The oarsmen sing traditional boat songs

Vanchippattu ''Vanchippattu'' is a poetic form in Malayalam composed entirely in the Dravidian metre ''Nathonnata''. It is originated from Kerala, a state in India. History This poetic form was created by Ramapurathu Warrier, a poet in Malayalam lived in ...

and wear white

mundu The mundu (Malayalam: ; ) is a garment worn around the waist in the Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, the Lakshadweep archipelago, and the Indian Ocean island nation of Maldives. It is closely related to sarongs like dhotis and lungis ...

and

turbans A turban (from Persian دولبند‌, ''dolband''; via Middle French ''turbant'') is a type of headwear based on cloth winding. Featuring many variations, it is worn as customary headwear by people of various cultures. Communities with promi ...

. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the center make it a show of pageantry too.

Aranmula temple

is about 128 km from

Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram ( ), also known as Trivandrum, is the capital city of the Indian state of Kerala. As of 2011, the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation had a population of 957,730 over an area of 214.86 sq. km, making it the largest and ...

, capital city of

. It is situated on the banks of the river

in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The famous temple at

is dedicated to Sree Parthasarathy of Lord

Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...

as the divine charioteer of

. A rough estimate puts the age of this temple to 1700 years.

Palliyodams (snake boats)

Palliyodams are

’s unique snake boats ''( Chundan Vallam)'' which devotees hold in reverence, considering it as the divine vessel of the presiding deity in Sree Parthasarathy temple. These Palliyodams belong to different ''Karas'' (rustic parts) on the banks of river

. The first Palliyodam was built by Nedumprayar kara situated near Aranmula.Each Palliyodam will usually have 4 helmsmen, rowers and singers. It is decorated with golden lace. There will be a flag and two or three ornamental

umbrella An umbrella or parasol is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs that is mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It is usually designed to protect a person against rain. The term ''umbrella'' is traditionally used when protec ...

Construction

Locating a suitable tree preferably Anjili, cutting it down and bringing to the location for construction is the first step. Selecting an auspicious day and time work begins. All these are according to

Vedas FIle:Atharva-Veda samhita page 471 illustration.png, upright=1.2, The Vedas are ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism. Above: A page from the ''Atharvaveda''. The Vedas ( or ; ), sometimes collectively called the Veda, are a large body of relig ...

, an ancient treatise on building of wooden boats. These boats are about 100 to 138 ft in length, with the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft. and a long tapering front portion. When completed it resembles a

snake Snakes are elongated limbless reptiles of the suborder Serpentes (). Cladistically squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales much like other members of the group. Many species of snakes have s ...

with its hood raised. Its hull is built of planks precisely 83 feet in length and six inches wide.

Care of a snake boat

Every year the boats are oiled mainly with fish oil,

coconut The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family (biology), family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, ...

shell, and carbon to keep the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. The village

carpenter Carpentry is a skilled trade and a craft in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, ships, timber bridges, concrete formwork, etc. Carpenter ...

carries out annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and represents their village.

Getting onto a snake boat

#Only men of the village are allowed to be in the boat. #Dress. White loin cloth (

Mundu The mundu (Malayalam: ; ) is a garment worn around the waist in the Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, the Lakshadweep archipelago, and the Indian Ocean island nation of Maldives. It is closely related to sarongs like dhotis and lungis ...

) and

turban A turban (from Persian language, Persian دولبند‌, ''dolband''; via Middle French ''turbant'') is a type of headwear based on cloth winding. Featuring many variations, it is worn as customary headwear by people of various cultures. Commun ...

. #No shirt and footwear. Traditionally it will be commanded by a Kaarnavan / Karanaadhan (Village leader) with ''First Adanayampu'' and under him there will be three main oarsmen who control the movement of the boat with 12 feet long main rudder-oar ''(Adanayampu)''. Sitting two in row along the length of the Boat there will be the oarsmen, They row in rhythm of the

(boatman's song). Standing on the platform in the middle of the boat, the main singer will lead the

. A few singers will be with the main leader while others will stand at the middle between the oarsmen.

Vanchipattu

The singers lead the

(boatman's 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 thom- :''Singers'' – Paranja-thangane thanney- :''Oarsmen'' – Thithi tha thi- thei thei, :''Singers'' – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Pathni :''Oarsmen'' – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Pathni :''All together'' – Ohh thei tha- thaka tha thiki thaka thom :::: Theeya Thitho thitho thikithom :''Singers'' - Kuranj-onnurangatte njan :''Oarsmen'' - Thei thei -thakathei thei thoy- :''Singers'' - Kuranj-onnurangatte njan :''Oarsmen'' – Thitha tha thi- thei thei, :''Singers'' - Kuranj-onnurangatte njan ulak -irezhum The Malayaraya community inhabiting the upper reaches of Western ghats at present, have many Vanjippattu songs included in their literature which are used in their artforms such as Kolakali and Ivarkali. The presence of such songs which are exclusively used in the Aranmula tradition could be because Malayarayars were once the non-brahmanical, vama/Kaulachara "karmis" of Aranmula Appan or mahavishnu as attested by "Thirunizhalmala," one of the oldest poems in Malayalam language and it's creator Ayiroor Govindan.Padakkalputhamekel- Thirunizhalmalapadhanam, Rajesh Kumar K, Manjalkkuri (Jinesh Jills George) Pages 13-28 Malayarayars praise "Thiruvaranmula Appan" and "Ayiroor Bhagavati" in their traditional songs. They are believed to have left the plains for mountains after their defeat at Chotty sometime between AD 1407 and 1419. Malayaraya/ Malaya country known as "Maleam" in certain 17th century European maps of Malabar lying east of Chotti was transferred to Poonjar by the victoriousThekkumkur rajas. The last few lines of "Bana Yudham" reveals the true antiquity of Aranmula Vanjippattu tradition. വഞ്ചിരാമൻ (രാമവർമ്മ കുലശേഖരപ്പെരുമാൾ ?) മന്ത്രിമാരിൽ (നാല് തളി ?) മുൻപനാകും മഹാവീരൻ പഞ്ചബാണാംബുജവീരൻ അംബുജനേത്രൻ നെഞ്ചിലേറ്റം മോദമോടെ വഞ്ചിതന്നിൽ പാടുവാൻ ചഞ്ചലം കൂടാതെ നല്ല വഞ്ചിയുണ്ടാക്കി Malayarayas have no historical memory about their presence in Ayiroor, the relationship with Aranmula temple or "Vanjippattu". These facts have came into light through some studies concluded quite recently.

Festivals

A number of colourful festivals rich in traditions are held at

temple every year. The most important festival is the traditional palliyodam

regatta Boat racing is a sport in which boats, or other types of watercraft, race on water. Boat racing powered by oars is recorded as having occurred in ancient Egypt, and it is likely that people have engaged in races involving boats and other wa ...

(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

celebrate it with a feast.

celebrations begin with the arrival of Thiruvonathoni (special boats) from Kattoor. For a sumptuous meal for the Lord at

, 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

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 Illam (), also referred to as Mana, is the Malayalam word for the house of a Namboodiri Brahmin. In the traditional lineage system used for the classification and identification of homes based on the castes of Kerala, South India, an Illam s ...

with 18 men will get into the boat and it will begin its journey to

. The boat is expected to float according to the speed of the current. The sound of the

nagaswaram The ''nadaswaram'' is a double reed wind instrument from South India. It is used as a traditional classical instrument in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala and in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. This in ...

(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

Pandava The Pandavas (Sanskrit: पाण्डव, aɳɖɐʋᵊ IAST: Pāṇḍava) is a group name referring to the five legendary brothers, Yudhishtira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva, who are central figures of the Hindu epic ''Mahabhara ...

s. So on that day, there will be a Snake boat

in front of the

temple.

Aranmula Vallasadya

Another important event is the ''Aranmula Valla

sadya Sadya (), also spelt as sadhya, is a meal of Kerala origin and of importance to all Malayalis, consisting of a variety of traditional vegetarian dishes usually served on a banana leaf as lunch. Sadya is typically served as a traditional feast ...

'' (banquet). It is served to the oarsmen of snake boats at the Parthasarthy temple premises and at nearby dining hall and auditorium. it starts in mid July (karkitakam) and will last till September.( kanni month) 254 valla

s 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 68 side dishes were served at the

Sadya Sadya (), also spelt as sadhya, is a meal of Kerala origin and of importance to all Malayalis, consisting of a variety of traditional vegetarian dishes usually served on a banana leaf as lunch. Sadya is typically served as a traditional feast ...

on banana leaves including the following side dishes. Valla sadya is performed with a strict style. First, one who offers the feast has to invite the ''karanathan''. On the day he has to put two 'nirapara's down the 'kodimaram' flag post, with betel, and tobacco and

areca nut The areca nut ( or ) or betel nut () is the fruit of the areca palm (''Areca catechu''). The palm is originally native to the Philippines, but was carried widely through the tropics by the Austronesian migrations and trade since at least 15 ...

. Around 11 o'clock the boat people will come in the decorated boat with vallapattu. They are welcomed with thalappoli and these offerings, and are marched with rhythmic slogans first in front to the god and then to the separate hall arranged for the feast. They are treated with whatever they ask, and after the feast they are sent back following up to the river. :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

; 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 2016

(Maximum number of men allowed in the boat and total length of the snake boats are given in brackets.) # Arattupuzha. (139, .. ) #

Ayroor Ayroor (also spelled Ayiroor) is a village near Thiruvalla, located in the western part of Ranni taluk, in the Pathanamthitta district in Kerala state, India. It is bordered by hills and located near the Western Ghats. Ayroor was previously p ...

(125, 143’) # Chennithala. (80, 117). #Cherukol Sri Padmanabha Dasa Palliyodom. (110, 99’) #Edanad. (.., 146) #Edappavur. (110, 123) #Edappavur –Peroor (110, 142’) # Edasserimala. (.., 139). # Edasserimala- East.. (85, 139). # Edayaranmula. (140 #Edayaranmula- East. (100, 146’) #

Kadapra Kadapra (Malayalam: ) is a village in the Thiruvalla taluk, Thiruvalla subdistrict of Pathanamthitta district, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India. It shares an intradistrict river border with Nedumpuram village separated along the Mani ...

. (.., ..) #Keezhvanmazhi (110, 139) # Kattoor (80, 140’) #Keezhukara. (135, 142’). Stern Height 20’, the tallest among all #Kodiattukara. (80, ..) # Koipram (100, 139). 89 years old. # Kottathur. (60, ..) #

Kozhencherry Kozhencherry is a census town in Pathanamthitta district of South Central Kerala in Kerala state, India. census, the population was 12,021 of which 5,594 are males while 6,427 are females. Etymology The name ''Kozhencherry'' is believed to have ...

(100, 133’) # Kuriannoor. (100, 139’) #Lhaha. (95, 140’) #Malakkara (110, 143’) # Mallappuzhassery (.., 99’) #Mangalam. (85, ..) #Melukara (.., 142’) #

Maramon Maramon is a small village on the Pampa River in Thiruvalla taluk & Thiruvalla Revenue Division of Pathanamthitta district in the state of Kerala, India. The nearest railway station is at chengannur (13 km) & Thiruvalla (16 km) Maram ...

. (100, 142) #Mundan Kavu (112, …). One hundred years old. #Muthuvazhi. (65, ..) #Nedumprayar. (.., 142’) #Nellickal, (.., 137’) #Othara (81, 124’) #Poovathur East. (77, 124) #Poovathur West (104, 129’) #Prayaar #Punnamthottam (140, 144’) # Ranni. (.., 121’) #Thekkemuri (112, 137’) # Thottapuzhassery. (85, ..) #Thymaravumkara. (64, 124) #Umayattukara. (110, 120’) #Vanmazhi. (70, 120). #Venpala (.., 125’) :::

regatta (Vallam Kali) is part of the cultural heritage of Kerala state as a whole and

in particular.

Other renowned boat races in Kerala

* President's Trophy Boat Race *

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is one of the oldest vallam kali (snake boat race) (after the Aranmula Boat Race) in Kerala state of south India. The race is held on the River Pamba on Moolam day (according to the Malayalam Era M.E) of the M ...

* Payippad Jalotsavam *

Kumarakom Boat Race The Sree Narayana Jayanthi Vallam Kali or Boat Race, at Kumarakom, Kerala is held in September every year during Onam festival. More than 1,000 oarsmen in boats of different sizes and shapes take part. Even though snake boats participate in th ...

* Kallada Boat Race * Pampa Boat Race, Neerettupuram * Gothuruth Boat Race since 1938, Ernakullam

External links

*http://www.aranmula.net
Snake Boat Race
*http://www.aranmulavallamkali.com
Aranmula Vallamkali 2010

AranmulaA foreigner's experience of Aranmula snake boats - Onam 2011

References

{{Tourism in Kerala Hindu festivals in Kerala Boat races in Kerala Boat festivals Festivals in Pathanamthitta district Aranmula Pamba River Onam