CATEGORY : PILGRIM TOURISM
Aranmula
Parthasarathy Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, is one of the ancient shrines
of Kerala. Located in Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, the holy
place is charmingly positioned on the left bank of the holy Pampa River. The
temple is one of the five ancient temples associated with the great Hindu epic
Mahabharata, in Chengannur region of Kerala. The most prominent deity of the
temple is ‘Vishwaropa’ of Lord Krishna, who emerges for teaching Arjuna the
‘Holy Geeta’. The temple is a stopover for the holy ornaments of Ayyappan
(Thiruvabharanam), which are taken into a procession every year from Pandalam.
A golden outfit (Thanka Anki) presented by the king of Travancore to Lord
Ayyappan is kept in this temple and taken to Sabarimala in the Mandala season.
Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple celebrates a number of festivals every year,
which includes Onam, Khandavanadahanam, and Arattu.
Establishment
A popular legend
has been associated with the establishment of Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy
Temple. As per the legend, after making Parikshit as the king of Hastinapur,
the Pandavas leave for a pilgrimage tour of India. Parikshit was the grandson
of Arjuna. In Kerala, each of these brothers establishes a Vishnu temple on the
banks of the Pampa or its close proximity. It is said that the temple
constructed by Arjuna at Nilackal near Sabarimala is currently known as Sree
Parthasarathy Temple. The image was brought here in a raft made of six pieces
of bamboo. Therefore, the shrine was named as Aranmula, which literally means
‘six pieces of bamboo’. It is also said that Arjuna built this temple to
apologize for the sin of killing armless Karna on the battlefield. |
| The outer walls around the sanctum housing the structure of lamps, called Vilakkumaadam |
Key Features
Situated on the
banks of Pampa River, Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple is among the most
significant Krishna temples in Kerala and one of the five shrines of the state
connected with Mahabharata. The stunning architecture of the temple has been
inspired by Dravidian planning. The temple features four towers over its
entrances on its outer wall. One can access the eastern and western tower is
accessed by going through a flight of stairs containing 18 steps. The 57 steps
downwards through the northern tower can take anyone to the Pampa River.
Aranmula Sree
Parthasarathy Temple also features outstanding murals that date back to the
18th century. Spread over a huge area, every part of the temple has been
meticulously designed, which give the clear picture of the architectural
richness of that era. There is a golden flag staff in front the entrance of the
temple. This pyramid shaped temple features intricate carved stones on its
exterior that create an exclusive design consisting of unique impressions. In
many festivals, Onam is the most reputed a festival celebrated in the temple.
The well-known Aranmula Boat Race is being organized on the last day of Onam,
every year. The boat race is more of a water carnival more than a playing
contest.
The temple is
open from 4 am to 11:00 am and 5 pm to 8 pm and is administered by Travancore
Devaswom Board of the Government of Kerala.
How to Reach
By Rail
Chengannur
Railway Station is the most important railway station near Aranmula.
By Road:
Located in
Pathanamthitta district, Aranmula is a suburb of Kozhencherry and well
connected by road with various towns like are Pathanamthitta at 10 km, Pandalam
at 14 km and Chengannur at 10 km