The Palliyoda Seva Sanghom, organisers of the ritualistic feast, Vallasadya, at the Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula and the snakeboat regatta, Uthrittathi Vallamkali, in Pampa river , conducted a day-long resource mobilisation drive on Sunday to procure vegetables and provisions for the mega feast, Ashtami-Rohini Vallasadya, to be held at the temple premises on the Sree Krishna Janmashtami day on Wednesday.
The Sanghom launched a vehicular tour of the villages in and around Aranmula on Sunday to collect vegetables and other articles for the ritualistic feast.
Vegetables, coconuts and other articles required for the feast were collected from all the 51 Palliyoda Karayogams in and around Aranmula.
Lighting of the main hearth
The preparation of various dishes will begin with the lighting of the main hearth with the fire brought from the sanctum sanctorum in the auspicious muhurthom between 9.30 a.m. and 10.24 a.m. on Monday.
According to P.R. Radhakrishnan, PSS secretary, a team of experts led by noted culinary expert, Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboodiri, will be preparing the mega feast to be attended by not less than 50,000 people, this year.
According to PSS president, K.G. Sasidharan Pillai, the crew of all 51 snakeboats (palliyodams) will be participating in the mega feast.
The mass feast would be served at the sprawling temple premises and at the temple Oottupura (dining hall) immediately after the Utchapuja, he said.
As many as 64 dishes, comprising different types of fried items, sweet dishes, including the famous Ambalapuzha palpayasam ,and even a piece of dressed sugarcane, will be served with the feast.
Representatives from all the 51 Palliyoda karayogams will reach the temple ghats in their snakeboats for attending the feast and they will be accorded a customary reception at the temple ghats.
A ceremonial parade of the snakeboats, ‘Ashtami-Rohini Vallamkali,’ will also be held in river Pampa as a prelude to the feast in the forenoon.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has also made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the annual event at the temple premises.
