Located in Kerala, Aranmula is mainly famous for conducting extravaganza race boats during Onam, and people from all over the country come here to witness it..Long queues of elephants to huge umbrellas dancing across the mud trails in the village contribute to a magnificent sight! The second popularity of this place comes from the very prestigious Aranmula Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Besides the temple, another point of attraction here is the metallic mirrors, which signify good luck and prosperity. So, if you are planning to visit here, knowing the details beforehand will be beneficial in making your trip a little more organised.
Aranmula Temple History
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As per mythological resources and citings, Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple was originally constructed near Sabarimala. It is one of the five temples developed by the Pandavas in Chengannur. After departing from Hastinapur, their capital town for pilgrimage, the five brothers stopped along the River Pampa. These five temples were built during that time, and there is a picture of Lord Krishna every time. Legends have it that Arjuna constructed this temple as his expiation of assassinating Karna because it is unethical to attack a defenceless warrior.
Another common story associated with the temple is that Lord Vishnu shared information about the world’s creation with Lord Brahma. This happened when the Vedas were stolen away from Madhukaitaka demons. A significant part of the Aranmula Temple history as circulated is the image of this temple carried on a ferry comprising six bamboo slices. This temple is named after these 6 bamboo sticks, and Aranmula translates to this. The fame of this place also comes from metallic mirrors, which originated from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.
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Aranmula Temple Architecture
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When talking about the Aranmula Temple in Kerala, the architecture steals the limelight. The temple has been constructed in the traditional architectural style followed in Kerala. You need to climb 20 steps to reach a high-rise structure that is part of the temple itself. Rajagopuram, the primary elevation of this temple, has a bifurcation in which the top part is made out of wooden paths.
The temple’s roof and pillars are famous for their beguiling wooden cutouts. These cutouts represent fine craftsmanship as they depict different takes from Indian epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. You’ll also find various old paintings on the walls of this temple, some dating back to the early 18th Century CE.
Significance Of The Aranmula Temple
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Aranmula Temple history is not the only thing that invites devotees from everywhere, but it is significantly important for Hindus based on the religious context. Let’s take a glimpse at some of the major reasons behind the widespread popularity of this temple:
- The temple is a visual representation of the authentic style of Kerala construction dating back to the 6th to 9th centuries AD. It has been built upon an elevated platform. One needs to climb 18 steps to get to the Eastern tower, whereas the Northern tower has 57 steps. The main part of the temple where the deity rests is Sreekovil.
- This temple has been talked about in the Tamil classics, and it is one of the 108 Vaishnava shrines in the country.
- The whole structure of this temple is made of laterite, whereas the base of the main temple is carved out of granite. The cone-like roof structure of this temple also attractively represents the famous terracotta art.
- Lord Krishna and other gods like Yakshi, Nagaraja, Erangavil Bhagavathi Balarama and Sastha are also worshipped here.
- The temple also has mural paintings dating back to the early 18th century.
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Festivals Celebrated At The Aranmula Temple
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The main deity worshipped at this temple is Lord Krishna. Thus, all the festivities related to this deity are celebrated here magnificently and in splendour. Let’s talk about a few of them here:
Ashtami Rohini
This day marks the deity’s birthday and is celebrated ceremonially. On this day, ‘Vallasadya’, one of the greatest vegetarian feasts in the world, takes place here. The feast comprises 64 different kinds of dishes offered to the deity.
Cavalcade
During this time, a huge procession of people walks from the Garuda Mount to the Pampa River. Lord Parthasarathy is also accompanied by Goddess Bhagavathy in this procession.
Khandavanadahanam
This is another festival celebrated at this temple during the Dhanus month (as per the Malayali calendar). A human-made forest is created by the temple’s devotees using twigs, dried leaves and plants. After this, they light up a bonfire at the same spot to show how the fire occurred in the Khandava forest, a tale from Mahabharata.
Thiruvonathoni
The Onam festival is celebrated in the South with great grandeur and various rituals. In Kerala, it is celebrated as “Thiruvonathoni,” which has a special connection with Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. The boat arrives at this temple from Kattoor Mangadu Illam, carrying the sumptuous meals prepared for the Onam feast.
How To Reach The Aranmula Temple?
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Aranmula Temple is located near the rest of the parts of the state. It is nearly 116 km from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. Aranmula Temple timings are 4 AM – 8 PM so make sure to reach in between these hours to have a darshan.
If you’re wondering how you can reach this temple, here are some of the best ways:
By road
If you live in Kerala, you can opt for a road trip. The road connectivity from this temple to other parts of the state is quite good. There are several buses and various other transport options to choose from.
By train
The railway station near this temple is at Chengannur. The visitors can either opt for public transportation from the railway station or book cabs.
By flight
The nearest airport to Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is Trivandrum. Another viable option is Kochi International Airport. Buses and taxis are available at the airport and can take visitors directly to the Aranmula Temple.
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Places To Visit Near The Aranmula Temple
Once you’re done with your pooja at the Aranmula Temple, you may consider visiting some famous nearby places among tourists who visit Kerala. Here’s a list of a few places you can include in your travel plan:
1. Konni (24 KM from Aranmula)
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Konni is a small village located in Kerala’s lush green forests on the banks of the River Achankovil. Because of its pleasant climate and greenery, this place has become a suitable habitat for elephants. To get a unique trekking experience, you must visit the Kumbhavurutty Falls in the dense forest.
2. Krishnapuram Palace (37.8 Km from Aranmula)
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This palace is popular for its conventional Kerala-style architecture with a canopy-like roof structure and narrowed corridors. It is very close to the Krishnaswamy Temple in Krishnapuram. One of the remarkable features of this temple is that it boasts one of the biggest mural paintings in the entire state.
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3. Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls (44.5 KM from Aranmula)
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This place is situated within the enclosed land of Kottayam and is known to attract millions of tourists from the country during the monsoon season. An ideal spot for picnics, this place is a great weekend retreat for people living nearby. You will get a majestic view of the clear water gushing down the waterfall!
4. Pathanamthitta (14 Km from Aranmula)
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This place is popularly known as the Pilgrim capital of the country because of its association with Lord Ayeppa’s Sabarimala. Makaravilakku and Mandapooja are the two most important festivals celebrated here and during these times the place is overcrowded with devotees. Devotees wait in long queues to get the Prasadam offered after every pooja during these events.
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5. Kottarakkara (45.3 Km from Aranmula)
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This is where Kathakali, a world-famous dance drama, originated, and that’s the primary reason behind the widespread popularity of this small town. The city alone represents the cultural heritage of the entire state. You can see the dance form here as there are shows organised for tourists.
Further Read: Things To Do In Kerala In December
Further Read: Things To Do In Kerala In December
A visit to the Aranmula Temple in Kerala, surrounded by overwhelming artistry, will leave you spellbound and amazed. Every nook and corner of this temple depicts traditional architecture and paintings. If you’re planning a trip to Kerala, don’t forget to add this temple to your itinerary for a spiritual indulgence like never before and to relive the time you have only heard of.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple
What are the times to visit the Aranmula Temple?
The Aranmula Temple timings are 4 AM-8 PM. In between, there’s an afternoon break from 11 AM - 5 PM.
Are there any specific Prasadam timings at the Aranmula Temple?
There is no specific Prasadam timing here at this temple. However, once the morning pooja is performed you can get the Prasadam.
Does the Aranmula Temple have any particular dress code for the pilgrims?
The dress code of the Aranmula Temple is the same as the rest of the temples in Kerala. Men are required to be in dhoti without any upper clothing and women are supposed to be in salwar kameez or sari.
Is there any cultural event associated with this temple?
The Aranmula boat race, a yearly sports event, is organised in association with this temple every year.
How old is the Aranmula Temple?
The construction of the Aranmula Temple is said to have been done in the 6th to 9th centuries AD based on the type of architecture it follows.
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