The season of the renowned Aranmula Vallasadya, a ritualistic feast offered to the presiding deity of the centuries’ old Sree Parthasarathy Temple on the banks of river Pampa at Aranmula, had a ceremonial start on Wednesday.
The heritage village of Aranmula was in a festive mood from Wednesday morning as a large number of devotees reached the temple to offer prayers and partake off the unique feast.
The crew of 10 snakeboats (Palliyodams) reached the temple ghats in their boats by 11.30 a.m. and devotees accorded them a customary reception, offering them betel leaves, arecanuts, and tobacco.
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They were escorted to the temple premises with the accompaniments of the traditional percussion. The oarsmen circumambulated the temple, singing Vanchippattu, verses in praise of Lord Krishna. The crew of the 10 snakeboats belonging to the Palliyoda karayogams of Venpala, Thekkemuri-East, Poovathoor-East, Cherukol, Nedumprayar, Thekkemuri, Keekkozhoor, Thottappuzhasserry, Keezhcherimel, and Varayannur took part in the Vallasadya on Wednesday,
Travancore Devaswom Board president M.P. Govindan Nair inaugurated the Vallasadya by lighting a ceremonial lamp at the Aanakkottil before the holy temple mast immediately after the Utchapuja around 11.50 a.m.
Mr. Nair also served the feast in a plantain leaf kept before the ceremonial lamp in an atmosphere charged with Vanchippattu. The feast was served to the snakeboat crew at the Oottupura and the pandals erected on the temple premises, later. As many as 64 items, including rice, were served at the feast, according to the Palliyoda Seva Sanghom that organises the Vallasadya.
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Devan, film actor; G. Venugopal, playback singer; S.Harikishore, District Collector; T. Narayanan, Superintendent of Police; P.K. Kumaran, Subhash Vasu, TDB members, and Gururatnam Jnana Tapaswi of the Pothencaud Santhigiri Ashram, were among those who partook off the feast.
The Ashtami-Rohini Vallasadya, a mega feast, will be held at the temple premises on the Sree Krishna Janmashtami Day on September 5.
The season of Vallasadya will come to a close on October 2.