Aranmula Boat Race

The Aranmula Boat Race takes place at Aranmula, India near a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pampa to watch the snake boat races. Nearly 41 snake boats or "chundan vallams" participate in the festival. The oarsmen sing traditional boat songs and wear white Mundu and turbans. 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.

Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala State in India. It is situated on the banks of the river “Suvarnamukhari,” commonly known as river Pampa. The famous temple at Aranmula is dedicated to Sree Parthasarathy of Lord Krishna as the divine chariioteer of Arjuna. A rough estimate puts the age of this temple to 1700 years.

Palliyodams (The snake boats).

Palliyodams are Aranmula’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 Pampa. Each one will have 4 helmsmen, 100 rowers and 25 singers.

Care of a snake boat.

Every year the boats are oiled mainly with fish oil, coconut shell, and carbon, mixed with eggs to keep the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. The village carpenter carries out annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and represents their village.

Festivals.

A number of colourful festivals rich in traditions are held in this temple every year. The most important festival is the traditional palliyodam regatta (Boat race). Three important events take place during which the Palliyodams participate. All these are solemn religious custom. In earlier days none of them were competitive races.

Thiruvonam.

On ‘’Thiruvonam’’ day people of Kerala celebrate it with a feast. So, early morning of that day Thiruvonathoni (special boats) will bring food materials from Kattoor, a village about 8 km east of Aranmula, to the temple for the Thiruvonam feast at the temple. The decorated boat will be floating from Kattoor to Aranmula. The sound of the nagaswaram (musical pipe) could be heard from a distance. It is believed that the palliyodams were built to protect the 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 Pandavas. So on that day, there will be a Snake boat regatta in front of the Aranmula temple.

Ashtami Rohini Vallasadhya.

Another important event is the ‘’Ashtami Rohini Vallasadhya’’ (feast). It is for the palliyodam crew. Almost 40,000 people take part in the feast served in the temple premises and at nearby Oottupura and auditorium. Rice with 45 side dishes are served at the Sadhya.

Conditions to get ont to the snake boat.

# Only men of the village are allowed to be in the boat.
#Dress. Loin cloth (‘’Mundu’’) and turban .
#No shirt and slippers.

Vanchipattu.

The singers lead the ‘’Vanchipattu’’ (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):Singers – Aranmula Bhagawante – :Oarsmen -Thei thei thakathei thei tho :Singers – Aranmula Bhagawante – :Oarsmen – Thitha thathi thei thei, :Singers – Aranmula Bhagawante ponuu kettya chundan vallam:Oarsmen – Aranmula Bhagawante ponuu kettya chundan vallam:All together – Ohh thei thei thei, thei thei, thakathoi,::::Thii thitho thiyo thikitho Thim.

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

Other renowned boat races in Kerala

* Indira Gandhi Boat Race
* Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
* Nehru Trophy Boat Race
* Payippad Jalotsavam
* Kumarakom Boat Race

ee also

* Chundan Vallam
* Nehru Trophy Boat Race
* Vallam Kali