Aranmula Boat Race

Aranmula boat race or Aranmula Vallamkali is the most ancient of the boat races. It is conducted on Uthirttathi star on the Malayalam month calendar Chingam at Aranmula. Other than the boat race Aranmula is well-known for ‘Aranmula Kannadi’. Aranmula is situated on the banks of river Pampa. Aranmula Vallamkali is held in Pampa river near Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple.

The snake boat used in Aranmula Vallomkali is known as Palliyodams, each Palliyodams belong to different karas or regions on the banks of Pampa river. The main religious events held as part of religious beliefs are Aranmula Vallam Sadhya, Aranmula Vallamkali and Thiruvonathoni. In all three events, Palliyodams are used. Aranmula Vallam Sadya starts from the Karikkadam (July mid) to Kani(September mid).

Thiruvonathoni is a special boat with special Sadhya for Lord Krishna from Kattor temple to Aranmula. It is followed by a group of Palliyodams and believed that Palliyodams are built to protect Thiruvonathoni. And on Uthirttathi asterism Aranmula Vallamkali is held to celebrate the anniversary of Lord Parthasarathy idol installation on the temple.