View source for Aranmula Boat Race

{{Short description|Annual snake boat race in Kerala, India}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{one source|date=February 2009}}
{{confusing|date=February 2024}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox recurring event
| name               = Aranmula Boat Race
| native_name        = Aranmula Vallam Kali
| logo               = 
| logo_caption       = 
| image              = Kerala boatrace.jpg
| caption            = Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race
| status             = Active
| genre              = Festival
| date               = [[Uttara Bhādrapadā|Utthrattathi]] [[Nakshatra]] in the Malayalam Calendar month of [[Chingam]] (/ accordingly)
| begins             = 
| ends               = 
| frequency          = Annually
| venue              = [[Pampa River]], [[Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple]]
| location           = [[Aranmula]]<br>[[Pathanamthitta District]], Kerala
| country            = India
| coordinates        = {{coord|9|19|40|N|76|41|18|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| years_active       = 
| first              = 1972
| founder_name       = 
| last               = <!-- Date of most recent event; if the event will not be held again, use {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} -->
| prev               = 09 September 2025
| next               = 27 September 2026
| participants       = Currently 52 palliyodams
| attendance         = 
| area               = 
| budget             = 
| patron             = 
| organised          = Palliyoda Seva Sangham
| filing             = <!-- Filing status -->
| people             = 
| member             = 
| website            = {{URL|http://aranmulavallamkali.com/}}
| footnotes          = 
}}
   
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 [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]] and [[Arjuna]], in the [[Pathanamthitta]] district of Kerala. The festival is known for its ceremonial procession of snake boats ([[Palliyodam]]s), 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 temple==
[[Aranmula]] is about 128&nbsp;km from [[Trivandrum]], capital city of [[Kerala]]. It is situated on the banks of the river [[Pamba 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|date=February 2022}}

==Palliyodams (snake boats)==
{{Main|Palliyodam}}
[[File:Kerala boatrace.jpg|thumb|500px|right|Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race]]
[[Palliyodam]]s are [[Aranmula]]’s unique [[snake boat]]s ''([[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 [[Pamba 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 [[umbrella]]s.

===Construction===
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&nbsp;ft in length, with the rear portion towering to a height of about 20&nbsp;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|date=February 2022}}

===Care of a snake boat===
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|date=February 2022}}

===Getting onto a snake boat===
#Only men of the village are allowed to be in the boat.
#Dress. White loin cloth ([[Mundu]]) and [[turban]].
#No shirt and footwear.

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|date=February 2022}}

===Vanchipattu===
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".

Example: (in Malayalam)
Note that The oar should make one full circle between the dashes (-).
:''Singers'' – Paranja-thangane thanney-
:''Oarsmen'' – Thei thei -thakathei thei thom- 
:''Singers'' – Paranja-thangane thanney-
:''Oarsmen'' – Thithi tha thi-  thei thei,   
:''Singers'' – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Pathni
:''Oarsmen'' – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Pathni
:''All together'' – Ohh thei tha- thaka tha thiki thaka thom
::::                Theeya Thitho thitho thikithom
:''Singers'' – Kuranj-onnurangatte njan 
:''Oarsmen'' – Thei thei -thakathei thei thoy-
:''Singers'' – Kuranj-onnurangatte njan 
:''Oarsmen'' – Thitha tha thi-  thei thei,
:''Singers'' – Kuranj-onnurangatte njan ulak -irezhum

The Malayaraya community inhabiting the upper reaches of Western ghats at present, have many Vanjippattu songs included in their literature which are used in their artforms such as Kolakali and Ivarkali.<ref>Harigovindam – Vanjippattu songs collected by melukara Shivankutty Ashan, Editor: Rajesh Kumar K, Pages 111, 329–332</ref> The presence of such songs which are exclusively used in the Aranmula tradition could be because Malayarayars were once the non-brahmanical, vama/Kaulachara "karmis" of Aranmula Appan or mahavishnu as attested by "Thirunizhalmala," one of the oldest poems in Malayalam language and it's creator Ayiroor Govindan.<ref name=pd>Padakkalputhamekel- Thirunizhalmalapadhanam, Rajesh Kumar K, Manjalkkuri (Jinesh Jills George) Pages 13–28</ref>

Malayarayars praise "Thiruvaranmula Appan" and "Ayiroor Bhagavati" in their traditional songs. They are believed to have left the plains for mountains after their defeat at Chotty sometime between AD 1407 and 1419.  Malayaraya/ Malaya country known as "Maleam" in certain 17th century European maps of Malabar lying east of Chotti was transferred to Poonjar by the victoriousThekkumkur rajas.<ref name=pd/>

The last few lines of "Bana Yudham" reveals the true antiquity of Aranmula Vanjippattu tradition.

വഞ്ചിരാമൻ (രാമവർമ്മ കുലശേഖരപ്പെരുമാൾ ?) മന്ത്രിമാരിൽ (നാല് തളി ?)

മുൻപനാകും മഹാവീരൻ

പഞ്ചബാണാംബുജവീരൻ അംബുജനേത്രൻ

നെഞ്ചിലേറ്റം മോദമോടെ വഞ്ചിതന്നിൽ പാടുവാൻ

ചഞ്ചലം കൂടാതെ നല്ല വഞ്ചിയുണ്ടാക്കി<ref>Malayarayarude Anushtanaganangal by shylaja Narayanan Page 81</ref>

Malayarayas have no historical memory about their presence in Ayiroor, the relationship with Aranmula temple or "Vanjippattu". These facts have came into light through some studies concluded quite recently.

==Festivals==
A number of colourful festivals rich in traditions are held at [[Aranmula]] temple every year. The most important festival is the traditional palliyodam [[regatta]] (boat festival). Three important events take place in which the Palliyodams participate. All these are solemn religious custom and there were no competitive races.

===Thiruvonam===
On [[onam|Thiruvonam]] day people of [[Kerala]] celebrate it with a feast. [[Aranmula]] celebrations begin with the arrival of Thiruvonathoni (special boats) from [[Kattoor, Pathanamthitta|Kattoor]]. For a sumptuous meal for the Lord at [[Aranmula]], a boat with the necessary provisions, and an ever-burning lamp, set off its journey from the temple at [[Kattoor, Pathanamthitta|Kattoor]] at 6&nbsp;pm so that it could reach [[Aranmula]] temple by 4&nbsp;am the next day, the Thiruonam day. At 6&nbsp;pm long main rudder-oar (Adanayampu) will be presented to the temple at [[Kattoor, Pathanamthitta|Kattoor]] and then it will be handed over to the leading oarsman. Mr. [[Bhattathiri]] of Mangaatt [[Illam]] with 18 men will get into the boat and it will begin its journey to [[Aranmula]]. The boat is expected to float according to the speed of the current. The sound of the [[nagaswaram]] (musical pipe) could be heard from a distance. People from all walks of life, age and religion will assemble on the river bank and they will float lighted lamps on the river welcoming the Thiruvonathoni. It is believed that the palliyodams were built to protect this Thiruvonathoni. So early morning on [[onam|Thiruvonam]] day all these palliyodams will accompany the Thiruvonathoni.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

===Uthrittathi===
It is considered that ‘’Uthrittathi’’ day is the anniversary of the installation of the idol consecrated in the south, by [[Pandava]]s. So on that day, there will be a [[Snake boat]] [[regatta]] in front of the [[Aranmula]] temple.

===Aranmula Vallasadya===
[[File:Sadhya DSW.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A Typical [[Onam]] Feast. Onam is a major festival of Kerala.]]
Another important event is the ''Aranmula Valla[[sadya]]'' (banquet). It is served to the oarsmen of [[snake boat]]s at the Parthasarthy temple premises and at nearby dining hall and auditorium. it starts in mid July (karkitakam) and will last till September.( kanni month) 254 valla[[sadya]]s were held in 2008 besides the mega feast on Ashtami Rohini. For this mega feast as many as 50,000 people from different parts of the state took part. Rice with 68 side dishes were served at the [[Sadya]] on banana leaves including the following side dishes.<ref>Desabhimani, 30 December 2008. {{full citation needed|date=January 2019}}</ref> 
Valla sadya is performed with a strict style. First, one who offers the feast has to invite the ''karanathan''. On the day he has to put two 'nirapara's down the 'kodimaram' flag post, with betel, and tobacco and [[areca nut]]. Around 11 o'clock the boat people will come in the decorated boat with vallapattu. They are welcomed with thalappoli and these offerings, and are marched with rhythmic slogans first in front to the god and then to the separate hall arranged for the feast. They are treated with whatever they ask, and after the feast they are sent back following up to the river.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

:Adaprathaman. (Pudding); Aravana payasam. (Pudding made from rice, jaggery and ghee); Aval (flattened rice); Avial (Mixed vegetable curry); Banana chips; Chammanthi powder (Chutney with chillies); Chukku vellum (dried ginger water); Curd; Ellunda (gingelly ball); Fried banana; Ghee; Ginger curry; Holy water from river [[Pampa]]; Kaalhen (curry made from curds); Kaalipazham payasam (Pudding made of banana); Kalkandum (Sugar candy); Kadala Prathaman (made of Bengal gram); Kychadi (Curry made of rice and gram); Mango curry; Munthiri pachadi (Curry made of grapes); Olen, (mixed curry); Pacchadi (A vegetable curry); Paal payasm (Pudding made of Milk); Pachamoru; Pulisserry (Curry prepared with thick and sour buttermilk); Resam; Red Cheera Thoran (made with a variety of amaranthus); Sambar; Thakara Thoran (Thoran with cassia tora); Unniappam.

===Palliyodoms that took part in September 2016===

(Maximum number of men allowed in the boat and total length of the [[snake boat]]s are given in brackets.)
#[[Arattupuzha]]. (139, .. ) 
#[[Ayroor]] (125, 143’)	
# [[Chennithala]]. (80, 117).
#Cherukol Sri Padmanabha Dasa Palliyodom. (110, 99’)
#Edanad. (.., 146)
#Edappavur. (110, 123)
#Edappavur –Peroor (110, 142’) 
#[[Edasserimala]]. (.., 139).
#[[Edasserimala]]- East.. (85, 139).
#[[Edayaranmula]]. (140

#Edayaranmula- East. (100, 146’)
#[[Kadapra]]. (.., ..) 
#Keezhvanmazhi (110, 139)
#[[Kattoor, Pathanamthitta|Kattoor]] (80, 140’)
#Keezhukara. (135, 142’). Stern Height 20’, the tallest among all
#Kodiattukara. (80, ..)
#[[Koipram]] (100, 139). 89 years old.
#[[Kottathur]].  (60, ..)
#[[Kozhencherry]] (100, 133’)
#[[Kuriannoor]]. (100, 139’)
#Lhaha. (95, 140’)
#Malakkara (110, 143’)
#[[Mallappuzhassery]] (.., 99’)
#Mangalam. (85, ..)
#Melukara (.., 142’)
#[[Maramon]]. (100, 142)  
#Mundan Kavu (112, …). One hundred years old.
#Muthuvazhi. (65, ..)
#Nedumprayar. (.., 142’)  
#Nellickal, (.., 137’)
#Othara (81, 124’)
#Poovathur East. (77, 124)
#Poovathur West (104, 129’)
#Prayaar
#Punnamthottam (140, 144’)
#[[Ranni, Kerala|Ranni]]. (.., 121’)
#Thekkemuri (112, 137’)
#[[Thottapuzhassery]]. (85, ..) 
#Thymaravumkara. (64, 124)
#Umayattukara. (110, 120’)
#Vanmazhi. (70, 120). 
#Venpala (.., 125’)
:::[[Aranmula]] regatta (Vallam Kali) is part of the cultural heritage of Kerala state as a whole and [[Aranmula]] in particular.

==See also==
* [[Aranmula kottaram]]
* [[Chundan Vallam]]
* [[Nehru Trophy Boat Race]]
* [[Vallam Kali]]
* [[Onam]]
* [[Cuisine of Kerala]]
* [[Aranmula]]

==Other renowned boat races in Kerala==
* [[President's Trophy Boat Race]]
* [[Champakulam Moolam Boat Race]]
* [[Nehru Trophy Boat Race]]
* [[Payippad Jalotsavam]]
* [[Kumarakom Boat Race]]
* [[Kallada Boat Race]]
* Pampa Boat Race, Neerettupuram
* [[Gothuruth Boat Race]] since 1938, Ernakullam<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-05-18|title=Gothuruth Boat Race, Kerala, India|url=http://gothuruthboatrace.com/|access-date=2021-07-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518075839/http://gothuruthboatrace.com/|archive-date=18 May 2014}}</ref>

==External links==
{{Commons category|Aranmula Boat Race}}
*http://www.aranmula.net
* [http://snakeboatrace.com/ Snake Boat Race]
*http://www.aranmulavallamkali.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718011708/http://aranmulavallamkali.com/ |date=18 July 2019 }}
*[http://aranmulakannadi.org/2010/08/aranmula-vallamkali-2010/ Aranmula Vallamkali 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130223134452/http://aranmulakannadi.org/2010/08/aranmula-vallamkali-2010/ |date=23 February 2013 }}
*[http://www.keralatourism.org/ Aranmula]
*[https://picasaweb.google.com/102696491785443160760/SnakeBoat A foreigner's experience of Aranmula snake boats – Onam 2011]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Waters of Kerala}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}

[[Category:Hindu festivals in Kerala]]
[[Category:Boat races in Kerala]]
[[Category:Boat festivals]]
[[Category:Festivals in Pathanamthitta district]]
[[Category:Aranmula]]
[[Category:Pamba River]]
[[Category:Onam]]