Thousands of devotees from different parts of the State partook of the ritualistic feast, held at the Sree Parthasarathy temple premises at Aranmula as part of the Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations on Wednesday.
Swami Sandeepananda Giri of the School of Bhagavad Gita in Thiruvananthapuram inaugurated the annual event by lighting a ceremonial lamp immediately after the Utchapuja at the temple.
According to Ratheesh R. Mohan, Palliyoda Seva Sanghom secretary, and P. Mohanachandran, treasurer-cum-convener, crew of 50 Palliyodams (snake-boats) attended the annual event, besides scores of devotees.
Oarsmen of 48 Palliyoda Karayogams reached the temple ghats in their own Palliyodams in the forenoon and those from the remaining eight Karayogams came in decorated vehicles. The oarsmen were accorded a traditional reception. They were escorted to the temple premises with the customary Thalappoli and the traditional temple percussion.
The Palliyoda Karayogams were provided with separate space on the temple premises for attending the Vallasadya.
Mr. Mohan said about one lakh people partook of the feast. The devotees and the boat crew relished the feast, squatting on the sprawling temple premises, braving the sun. As many as 48 items, including sweet, sour and fried items and five types of payasom, were served to them.
The ceremonial parade of the Palliyodams, Ashtami Rohini Vallamkali, was also held in the Pampa as a prelude to the mega feast.
Superintendent of Police P. Vimaladitya deployed a 300-strong police force headed by R. Chandrashekhara Pillai, Dy SP at Aranmula to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
