The annual ritualistic mass feast, Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya, was held with religious fervour at the centuries-old Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula on Tuesday. Hundreds of people, including crew of 52 snakeboats (palliyodams), partook of the sumptuous feast served in plantain leaves spread on the sprawling temple premises.
According to the Palliyoda Seva Sanghom (PSS) that organises the annual feast in association with the Travancore Devaswom Board, not less than 50,000 people attended the feast. The entire atmosphere was charged with devotion as Vanchippattu, hymns in praise of Lord Parthasarathy, rented the air. Oarsmen from 52 small rustic parts (kara) in and around Aranmula reached the temple ghats in their snakeboats to attend the feast.
Vallasadya is a ritualistic feast, having strong devotional moorings, served to the crew of the palliyodam which the devotees consider as the sacred vessel of Lord Krishna, also known as Parthasarathy.
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The boat crew were accorded a customary reception on their arrival at the temple ghats and were escorted to the Aanakkottil of the temple with the accompaniments of the Thaalappoli and traditional temple percussion.
P.N. Narendranathan Nair, Nair Service Society president, inaugurated the feast by lighting a ceremonial lamp and District Collector
R. Girija served the feast in a plantain leaf kept before the lamp in front of the temple mast after the Utchapuja.
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K.G. Sasidharan, PSS president; P.R. Radhakrishnan, secretary; and Krishnakumar Krishnaveni, treasurer; were present. The feast was prepared by Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboodiri.
Vallamkali
A colourful procession of snakeboats, Ashtami Rohini Vallamkali, was held in the river course as part of the Sree Krishna Janmashtami celebrations.