Cities & Towns Kerala Pathanamthitta Destination Temples Aranmula Sree Parthasaaradhy Temple

Aranmula Sree Parthasaaradhy Temple

Sree Parthasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, is one of the most ancient and famous temple in Aranmula (16kms from Pathanamthitta) on the banks of the holy river Pamba. This temple is believed to be one among the five temples built by the Pandava brothers. The five temples are at Chengannur (Yuddhisthra), Tiruppuliyur (Bhima), Aranmula (Arjuna), Tiruvanvandur (Nakula) and Tirukkodittaanam (Sahadeva). Aranmula temple is said to be built by Arjuna to expiate for the sin of having killed Karna on the battlefield, against the dharma of killing an unarmed enemy. Legend says that the temple was first built at Nilakal near Sabarimala and the image was brought here in a raft made of six pieces of bamboo. Thus the place derived the name Aranmula which means six pieces of bamboo. It is from the Parthasarathy temple that the Golden Amki (sacred jewel) of Lord Ayyappan is taken in a grand procession to Sabarimala every year.

The Aranmula Parthasarathi temple is a simple structure in Kerala style of architecture and the idol of Parthasarathy is six feet high. The walls of the temple is beautifully adorned with fine murals of the 18th century. The temple has four gopurams (towers) on four sides of its outer wall. The eastern tower is accessed through a flight of 18 steps and a descend of 57steps from the northern tower leads to the Pampa river. 

The annual temple festival that lasts for 10 days is celebrated as the anniversary of the installation of the temple idol. The festival which falls during the Onam season is more popular for its water carnival known as Aranmula Vallamkali. A tradition of sending rice and other materials on a water boat as an offering for a feast to the nearby village relates to the origin of the festival and this tradition is continued even today. 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. Garudavahana ezhunallathu is a colourful procession held during the festival where Lord Parthasarathy is taken on the garuda mount to the Pampa river bank with the accompaniments of caparisoned elephants, Panchavadyam and other traditional temple orchestra. The Valla sadya is an important vazhipadu (offering) in the temple at the time of the festival .

Another festival celebrated here is the Khandavanadahanam in the Malayalam month of Dhanus. During the festival, a replica of a forest is created in front of the temple with dried plants, leaves and twigs. Then a bonfire is lit symbolizing the Khandavana forest fire of the Mahabharata. Ashtamirohini, the birthday of Sree Krishna is also celebrated in this temple.

Contact Address: 
Sree Parthasaaradhy Temple,
Aranmula P.O., Pathanamthitta District,
Pin-689533, Kerala State
Phone: 0468-2212170

For booking vallasadya :
Palliyoda Seva Sangam office
Phone: 0468-2239310, 2313010, 9995866432

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	By :  premkumar
	Aug 20, 2015 1:09:42 PM | palakkad	Reply to this Comment/ Review
	when the vallasadya is held i want to join it is it available in august27,28,29,30 any of these days what is the rate&how to book it
	By :  Ajaya Kumar
	Feb 16, 2014 6:45:46 PM | Dubai	Reply to this Comment/ Review
	Please send me any contact number for Valla sadya booking for 2014
	By :  Moderator    Mar 10, 2014 3:57:22 PM | Kochi   Please contact Palliyoda Seva Sangam office at Aranmula (Phone: 9995866432, 0468-2239310, 2313010) for booking vallasadya 2014

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