Thanka-Anki

Mahabharata legends

Mahabharata legends

Legend has it that the Pandava princes, after crowning Parikshit left on a pilgrimage of India, and in Kerala, each of these brothers installed Vishnu on the banks of the Pampa and nearby places and offered worship. (Chengannur,Thrichittattu - Yuddhishtra, Tiruppuliyur - Bheema, Aranmula - Arjuna, Tiruvamundur - Nakula and Tirukkadittaanam - Sahadeva). It is said that Arjuna built this temple at Nilackal near Sabarimalai. and the image was brought here in a raft made of six pieces of bamboo to this site, and hence the name Aranmula (six pieces of bamboo). Legend has it that Arjuna built this temple, to expiate for the sin of having killed Karna on the battlefield, against the dharma of killing an unarmed enemy. It is also believed that Vishnu (here) revealed the knowledge of creation to Bhrama, from whom the Madhukaitapa demons stole the Vedas. There is yet another legend associated with Parthasarathy here. On the ninth day of the battle of Kurukshetra, the Kauravas reigned supreme under the leadership of Bheeshma, when Krishna motivated Arjuna to take initiative and vanquish his foe. Upon his hesitating to do so, Krishna jumped down in rage, and took up his discus; seeing this sight Bheeshma surrendered to him and Arjuna beseeched him not to kill Bheeshma, as it would bave been against Krishna's vow to take up arms in his battle. It is believed that it is this image of Krishna that is enshrined here, with a discus.

Temple Festivals

A number of colourful festivals rich in traditions are held at Aranmula temple every year. The most important festival is the traditional palliyodam regatta (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 Kerala celebrate it with a feast. Aranmula celebrations begin with the arrival of Thiruvonathoni (special boats) from Kattoor. For a sumptuous meal for the Lord at Aranmula, 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 Aranmula 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 with 18 men will get into the boat and it will begin its journey to Aranmula. The boat is expected to float according to the speed of the current. The sound of the nagaswaram (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 Pandavas. So on that day, there will be a Snake boatregatta in front of the Aranmula temple.

Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya

Another important event is the ‘’Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya’’

(banquet). It is served to the oarsmen of snake boats at the Parthasarthy temple premises.

This mega feast as many as 50,000 people from different parts of the state took part.

Avatharacharthu(Vrishchikam)


Dasavatharu chaarthu held at this vrichikam..Lord Vishnu's 10 avatharam's shown here..

Thanungu perukku

Khandavanadahanam celebrated in the Malayalam month of Dhanus. For this festival, a replica of a forest is created in front of the temple with dried plants, leaves and twigs. This bonfire is lit, symbolic of the Khandavana forest fire of the Mahabharat.

Thiruvaranmula Thiruvulsavam

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 usually have 4 helmsmen, rowers and singers. It is decorated with golden lace. There will be a flag and two or three ornamental umbrellas.

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, 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 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 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.

Getting onto a snake boat.

1. Only men of the village are allowed to be in the boat.
2. Dress. White loin cloth (‘’Mundu’’) and turban .
3. No shirt and slippers.

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 vanchipattu (boatman's song). Standing on the platform in the middle of the boat, the main singer will lead the vanchipattu. A few singers will be with the main leader while others will stand at the middle between the oarsmen

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) Note that The oar should make one full circle between the dashes (-).

Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney-

Oarsmen - Thei thei -thakathei thei thoy-

Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney-

Oarsmen – Thitha tha thi- thei thei,

Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Krishna

Oarsmen – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Krishna

All together – Ohh thei thei - thei thei - thei thakathoy,

Thii thitho - thiyo thikitho Thim.

Vallamkali....

The Aranmula Boat Race the oldest river boat fiesta in Kerala, the south western State of India is held during Onam (August-September). It takes place at Aranmula, near a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full-throated singing and shouting watched by an exciting crowd. ^[1] In 1972, snake boat races were also added to the programme of the festival. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pampa to watch the snake boat races.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple...

The Aranmula Temple in Pathanamthitta district,is famous as one of the five temple towns of Kerala....
There ara five ancient shrines round Chengannur,sanctified by the Pandavas....One of them is Aranmula.....
It is said that this temple has existed since the time of MAHABHARATA....
The Temple is on the left bank of the PAMPA river,,,,
The temple has four towers over its entrance on its outer wall........
The eastern tower is accessed through a flight of 18 steps...
Descending 57 steps through the norhern tower,one can reach the Pampa River...

THIRUARANMULA

THIS BLOG IS MAINLY CONCERNED TO FAMILIARIZE THE TEMPLE AND ITS IMPORTANCE AT ARANMULA......