Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, located at Aranmula near Mallappuzhassery in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna as Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata. This temple is recognized as one of the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Vishnu, and is revered by the Alvar saints. Additionally, it is one of the five ancient temples in Kerala associated with the Pandavas from the Mahabharata.

At a Glance

A Treasure Trove of Architecture, Art, and Festivals

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is well-known for its exceptional architecture, art, and festivals. It follows the traditional Kerala style of architecture, with four gopurams (towers) on the outer wall and a circular sanctum sanctorum inside. The primary deity is Parthasarathy, depicted holding a conch, discus, mace, and lotus. Legend says that the idol was brought here by Arjuna on a raft made of six bamboo pieces, hence the name Aranmula. The temple also houses a Sudarshana Chakra, a large circular weapon with miraculous powers, behind the idol’s head.

The Aranmula Temple is also well-known for its mural paintings that date back to the 18th century, which portray scenes from Hindu scriptures like the Ramayana, Bhagavata Purana, and Vishnu Purana. These paintings use natural colors obtained from vegetable and mineral pigments. Additionally, the temple features a museum exhibiting various artifacts and relics connected to its history.

Festivals at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

One of the most important festivals of the temple is the Aranmula Boat Race, held every year during the Onam season (August-September). The boat race is a part of the Uthrittathi Vallamkali, or snake boat carnival, which commemorates Lord Krishna crossing the Pamba River on a snake boat to visit the temple. The snake boats are long wooden boats decorated with colorful flags and umbrellas, and carry a model of a snake on their prows. The boat race attracts thousands of spectators and tourists.

Another major festival of the temple is the Thiruvabharanam procession, which takes place every year in January. The procession involves taking the sacred ornaments worn by Lord Ayyappa, another popular deity in Kerala, from Pandalam Palace to Sabarimala, passing through various temples on the way. The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is one of the halting points of this procession, where the jewels are kept overnight and worshipped by devotees. The temple also receives the golden attire of Lord Ayyappa, known as the Thanka Anki, from Sabarimala every year during the Mandala season (November-December).

Cultural and Artistic Traditions Associated with Aranmula Temple

Aranmula Temple is not just a place of worship but also a place of culture and heritage. It is home to many traditions and arts unique to Kerala. One such art form is the Aranmula Kannadi, or Aranmula mirror, which is made of metal alloys instead of glass and has a high reflective quality without distorting images. The mirror making is a secret craft passed on from generation to generation by a few families in Aranmula.

Another art form associated with the temple is the Aranmula Vallasadya, a grand feast prepared by devotees from different villages and served on a snake boat in the Pampa River. The feast consists of 64 varieties of vegetarian dishes and is held during the Onam festival in August or September, lasting for 41 days. The feast symbolizes communal harmony and the cultural heritage of Kerala.

Plan Your Visit

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is located 14 kilometers away from Pathanamthitta and is easily accessible by road, and there are ample parking spaces available. The temple is open from 4 AM to 12 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM on all days, the best time to visit the temple is during the festivals. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport located 116 kilometers away and the nearest railway station is Chengannur Railway Station located 10.5 kilometers away from Aranmula Temple.