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RR
29th July 2007, 12:41 PM
Aaranmula

- Padmanabha


Aaranmula is located on the banks of Pamba not far from Thiruvalla. The Paarthasaradhi Temple in Aaranmula is one of the 108 divya desams held in veneration by Vaishnavaites. Vishnu is worshipped here as Paarthasaradhi that is Sri Krishna in the guise of Arjuna’s charioteer.

It is belived that the image was installed by Pandavas. The story is that the image was initially consecrated at Nilakkal. Ravages by wild animals made it uninhabited. The people having no other go left the place. The God followed them in the form of Brahmachari. Some men made a bamboo raft to cross the river Pamba. He was attracted by a light far away. He went there and the place is called VILAKKU MAADAM. He then advised people to build a temple.

THE REGATTAS

It is this crossing of river which is celebrated as AARANMULA BOAT RACE popularly known as UTHRATTATHI VULLAM KALI WHICH FALLS ON THE fourth day of Thiruvonam. The deity is supposed to be in all boats and all of them expected to reach the destination simultaneously. There is no element of competition. It is an occasion for rejoicing. People of all communities participate in the regatta.
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The Boats: - The snake boats are 60-70 feet long. The prows are raised and the sterns stand 12 ft above the water level with ornamental carvings They are capable of accommodating 50 to 60 oarsmen besides those who carries umbrellas and and percussions. Nearly 30 to 40 boats participate in the regatta. Each Kara (village) is represented by one boat.
The race:- It is a spectacular sight to behold the long slender craft shooting forward. The oarsmen to the tune of music row the boat with full energy. The spectators shout and encourage the boatsmen.
The Deity:- Aaranmulaippan is the Lord of Aaranmula. One of the commonest ways of propitiating the deity is to give free oil baths to childen and to feast them afterwards. Childless couple performs these offerings. It does not matter the children of which community you entertain.
Aaaranmulai abounds in arecanut. Prior to festival of lighting of childrens beacon, children collet the leaves of the arecanut palms. They are piled up infront of the temple and ignited with a lighted wick brought from the temple. The children dance and sing.
Sacred fish:- The fishes in this river are considered sacred. Devotees feed these fishes with a mixture of rice and scraped coconut kernel.

The structure of the temple

The copper roofing has an interesting story to narrate. A great devotee appealed to the assembled people during the annual regatta to contribute their mite towards the expenses of covering the roof with copper roofs. Somebody scoffed it by saying that it was the intention of the deity to extort money. The devotee was pained. The man who mocked lost his power of speech. Bewildred the people contributed to the construction of copper plate roof.

AARANMULA KANNADI

World renowned metal mirror known as Aarnamula Kannadi is manufactured here. This mirror has a hoary tradition. Made out of an alloy of copper and tin this mirror is oval in shape-6”X4” in size and about 1/5 of an inch thick. It has a tail like handle. The polished surface of the mirror resembles glass in all details and any onbect placed in front is reflected.

The tradition is 400 years old. A group of bronze casters lived in Aaranmula. They were grante privileges for the production of bell metal utensils. The family failed miserably to meet the demands and their privileges were withdrawn.

A female member offered all her ornaments to make a crown for the deity. The smith melted the ornaments in a crucible and the product was marvelous. When polished it aquired the quality of mirror. The crown was presented to the deity and the deity is known as KANNADI BIMBAM. Later the smiths made mirrors. It is used as one eight auspicious things called ASHTAMANGALYAM. Since then this industry prospered. Now it has more takers.

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