CATEGORY : HERITAGE TOURISM , FESTIVALS
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 In 1972,snake boat races were also added to the program of the
festival. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pampa to watch
the snake boat races.
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.
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 riverPampa. 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. 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. 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 carpentercarries out
annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and
represents their village.Only men of the village are allowed to be in the boat.
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.
It is considered that ‘’Uthrittathi’’ day is the anniversary of the installation of the idol consecrated in the south, by Pandavas. On that day Aranmula Boat racing s conduction every year.
Attractions
- Traditional Snake Boat Racing
How to reach
Buses are
available from Pathanamthitta and Chengannur.