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Aranmula Boat Race
The Aranmula Boat Festival is one of the oldest river boat festivals in the Indian state of Kerala. It is held annually during the Onam season (August–September) at Aranmula, a village near the Sree Parthasarathy Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna, in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The festival is known for its ceremonial procession of snake boats (Palliyodams), which glide in pairs along the Pampa to the rhythm of traditional boat songs known as Vanchipattu. The oarsmen, dressed in white mundu and turbans, row in unison to the chants and drumbeats, creating a vibrant spectacle. Each boat is decorated with golden lace at the prow, a flag, and an ornamental umbrella at the centre, adding to the pageantry of the event.
Although the festival has ancient origins, snake boat races were officially introduced to its programme in 1972, giving rise to the modern name Aranmula Boat Race. The event draws thousands of spectators to the riverbanks every year. In 2019, a total of 52 snake boats participated in the festival.
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The famous temple at Aranmula is dedicated to Sree Parthasarathy of Lord Krishna as the divine charioteer of Arjuna. A rough estimate puts the age of this temple to 1700 years.[citation needed]
Palliyodams are Aranmula’s unique snake boats (Chundan Vallam) which devotees hold in reverence, considering it as the divine vessel of the presiding deity in Sree Parthasarathy temple. These Palliyodams belong to different Karas (rustic parts) on the banks of river Pampa. The first Palliyodam was built by Nedumprayar kara situated near Aranmula.Each Palliyodam will usually have 4 helmsmen, rowers and singers. It is decorated with golden lace. There will be a flag and two or three ornamental umbrellas.
Locating a suitable tree preferably Anjili, cutting it down and bringing to the location for construction is the first step. Selecting an auspicious day and time work begins. All these are according to Vedas, an ancient treatise on building of wooden boats. These boats are about 100 to 138 ft in length, with the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft. and a long tapering front portion. When completed it resembles a snake with its hood raised. Its hull is built of planks precisely 83 feet in length and six inches wide.[citation needed]
Every year the boats are oiled mainly with fish oil, coconut shell, and carbon to keep the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. The village carpenter carries out annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and represents their village.[citation needed]
Traditionally it will be commanded by a Kaarnavan / Karanaadhan (Village leader) with First Adanayampu and under him there will be three main oarsmen who control the movement of the boat with 12 feet long main rudder-oar (Adanayampu). Sitting two in row along the length of the Boat there will be the oarsmen, They row in rhythm of the Vanchippattu (boatman's song). Standing on the platform in the middle of the boat, the main singer will lead the Vanchippattu. A few singers will be with the main leader while others will stand at the middle between the oarsmen.[citation needed]
The singers lead the Vanchippattu (boatman's song) which the oarsmen will repeat and they move the oars in circular form according to its rhythm. Usually the selection will be from "Kuchela Vrythom Vanchipattu".
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Aranmula Boat Race
The Aranmula Boat Festival is one of the oldest river boat festivals in the Indian state of Kerala. It is held annually during the Onam season (August–September) at Aranmula, a village near the Sree Parthasarathy Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna, in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The festival is known for its ceremonial procession of snake boats (Palliyodams), which glide in pairs along the Pampa to the rhythm of traditional boat songs known as Vanchipattu. The oarsmen, dressed in white mundu and turbans, row in unison to the chants and drumbeats, creating a vibrant spectacle. Each boat is decorated with golden lace at the prow, a flag, and an ornamental umbrella at the centre, adding to the pageantry of the event.
Although the festival has ancient origins, snake boat races were officially introduced to its programme in 1972, giving rise to the modern name Aranmula Boat Race. The event draws thousands of spectators to the riverbanks every year. In 2019, a total of 52 snake boats participated in the festival.
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The famous temple at Aranmula is dedicated to Sree Parthasarathy of Lord Krishna as the divine charioteer of Arjuna. A rough estimate puts the age of this temple to 1700 years.[citation needed]
Palliyodams are Aranmula’s unique snake boats (Chundan Vallam) which devotees hold in reverence, considering it as the divine vessel of the presiding deity in Sree Parthasarathy temple. These Palliyodams belong to different Karas (rustic parts) on the banks of river Pampa. The first Palliyodam was built by Nedumprayar kara situated near Aranmula.Each Palliyodam will usually have 4 helmsmen, rowers and singers. It is decorated with golden lace. There will be a flag and two or three ornamental umbrellas.
Locating a suitable tree preferably Anjili, cutting it down and bringing to the location for construction is the first step. Selecting an auspicious day and time work begins. All these are according to Vedas, an ancient treatise on building of wooden boats. These boats are about 100 to 138 ft in length, with the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft. and a long tapering front portion. When completed it resembles a snake with its hood raised. Its hull is built of planks precisely 83 feet in length and six inches wide.[citation needed]
Every year the boats are oiled mainly with fish oil, coconut shell, and carbon to keep the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. The village carpenter carries out annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and represents their village.[citation needed]
Traditionally it will be commanded by a Kaarnavan / Karanaadhan (Village leader) with First Adanayampu and under him there will be three main oarsmen who control the movement of the boat with 12 feet long main rudder-oar (Adanayampu). Sitting two in row along the length of the Boat there will be the oarsmen, They row in rhythm of the Vanchippattu (boatman's song). Standing on the platform in the middle of the boat, the main singer will lead the Vanchippattu. A few singers will be with the main leader while others will stand at the middle between the oarsmen.[citation needed]
The singers lead the Vanchippattu (boatman's song) which the oarsmen will repeat and they move the oars in circular form according to its rhythm. Usually the selection will be from "Kuchela Vrythom Vanchipattu".
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