Vallasadya season begins at Aranmula
The rhythmic chants of Vanchippattu (boat songs) returned to the banks of the Pampa on Sunday as the season of Vallasadya, the unique ritual feast
The rhythmic chants of Vanchippattu (boat songs) returned to the banks of the Pampa on Sunday as the season of Vallasadya, the unique ritual feast associated with the Onam festivities at the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple, got under way. Hundreds of devotees thronged the temple precincts to witness the opening day’s rituals. Oarsmen aboard 10 palliyodams arrived at the temple ghats to a rousing welcome on the opening day.
Dressed in traditional attire, they were received with betel leaves, areca nuts and tobacco before being ceremonially escorted into the temple premises. The Melukara palliyodam was the first to reach the temple ghat at 11.30 a.m. Amid an atmosphere charged with devotion, the crews circumambulated the sanctum, singing the resonant verses of Vanchippattu in praise of Lord Krishna, the temple’s presiding deity. Devaswom Minister K.
Muraleedharan carried out formal inauguration of the festivities by lighting the ceremonial lamp. Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi, Aranmula MLA Abin Varkey, Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony and other dignitaries participated in the ritualistic feast. This year, 51 palliyodams representing villages along both banks of the Pampa, from Edakkulam to Chennithala in Alappuzha district, will take part in the Vallasadya season. One of Kerala’s most distinctive temple traditions, the Vallasadya and the accompanying regatta, continue to draw thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year.
The annual Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race will be held on August 30, followed by the Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya on September 4. Devotees can reserve their place for the feast by booking special passes through the website aranmulaboatrace.com. The ticket is priced at ₹300 per person.
The BriefWire