All set for Ashtami-Rohini Vallasadya at Aranmula

Preparations under way for feast at Sree Parthasarathy temple

Palliyoda Seva Sanghom vice-president K.P. Soman lighting the ceremonial lamp kept at the Oottupura of the Sree Parthasarathy temple at Aranmula on Sunday, marking the beginning of preparation of dishes for the Vallasadya.

Lord Parthasarathy temple on the banks of river Pampa at Aranmula is all set to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami aka Ashtami-Rohini in its own traditional style on Tuesday.

The heritage village of Aranmula has been turned into a beehive of activity where the buzzing sound is nothing but Krishna bhajans recited by the scores of devotees visiting the centuries’ old Vishnu temple which is deemed as one among the 108 Tirupatis in the country.

The unique Ashtami-Rohini Vallasadya, a ritualistic mass feast served to the crew of snakeboats (palliyodam) as well as the devotees, will be held at the Sree Parthasarathy temple on the Sri Krishna Janmashtami day on Tuesday.

The entire atmosphere is filled with bhakti and songs in praise of Lord Krishna and Vanchippattu rend the air.

Hectic preparations are under way for the mega feast at the Sree Parthasarathy temple.

The Oottupura (dining hall) and the spacious kitchen at the temple complex are buzzing with activity as not less than 300 people are busily engaged in the preparation of various food items for Tuesday’s mass feast.

Vallasadya is a sumptuous feast offered to the crew of palliyodam by devotees, treating them as representatives of Lord Parthasarathy.

The Ashtami-Rohini vallasadya is being jointly organised by the Palliyoda Seva Sanghom, apex body of various palliyoda karayogams, and the Travancore Devaswom Board as a mass feast on the Krishnashtami day and a large number of devotees from different parts of the State visit Aranmula to partake of the feast every year.

According to PSS president K.G.Sasidharan Pillai, elaborate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the annual event on Tuesday.

Crew of 52 palliyodams will be taking part in the annual feast. The feast will be served both inside the Oottupura and on the sprawling temple premises immediately after the Utchapuja at the temple.

Nair Service Society president P.N.Narendranathan Nair will formally inaugurate the feast by lighting a ceremonial lamp.

As many as 64 items, that include different types of fried items, sweet dishes, including the famous Ambalauzha palpayasom and even a piece of dressed sugarcane, will be served with the feast.

Ashtami-Rohini Vallamkali, ceremonial parading of the palliyodams, will also be held in the river Pampa prior to the Vallasadya.