Vallasadya to begin on July 15

The season of the famous Vallasadya, a ritualistic feast offered to the presiding deity at the Sree Parthasarathy temple situated on the banks of the Pampa at Aranmula, will begin on July 15.

The Palliyoda Seva Sanghom, apex body of 51 Palliyoda karayogams, will organise the feast in association with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). The Sanghom has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the 80-day season of Vallasadya, according to K.G. Sasidharan Pillai, PSS president, and P.R. Radhakrishnan, secretary. Preparation of various dishes for the feast started with the ceremonial lighting of hearth at the temple kitchen attached to the Oottupura at 10.30 a.m. on July 14.

PSS vice president K.P. Soman will transfer the sacred fire brought from the Kedaavilakku (undying fire) kept inside the sanctum sanctorum by the Melsanthi to the hearth at the Oottupura. Nair Service Society (NSS) president P.N. Narendranathan Nair will inaugurate the Vallasadya by lighting a ceremonial lamp in front of the holy temple mast in the presence of TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan at 11 a.m. on July 15.

The Palliyodam crew of Laka Edayaranmula, Keekkozhoor, Thekkemuri, Maramon, Kezhcherimel, Punnamthottom, and Cherukol will partake off the Vallasadya on the first day.

Unique offering

The Vallasadya is a unique ritualistic feast offered by the devotees to the crew of a Palliyodam, taking them as representatives of the presiding deity.

Devoteees who wish to offer a Vallasadya vazhipadu should first submit their application for the same to a Palliyodakkara that owns a snakeboat. Once the Palliyodakkara accepts their request, they should book the Vallasadya at the PSS office at Aranmula. The feast will be prepared and served by the contractors designated for the same by the PSS on the temple premises. Mr. Radhakrishnan said devotees could book their Vallasadya vazhipadu at the PSS office in front of the Parthasarathy temple at Aranmula (Ph: 0468-2239310).