JerilynCropper5 at 14:56, 12 April 2026

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{{Short description|Hindu temple of Krishna near Aranmula, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple
| image = Aranmula Temple.JPG
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Kerala
| map_caption = Parthasarathy Temple, [[Aranmula]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]] [[Kerala]]
| coordinates = {{coord|9|19|41.2|N|76|41|16.4|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}[https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Aranmula_Parthasarathy_Temple&params=9_19_41.2_N_76_41_16.4_E_type:landmark_region:IN]
| country = {{flag|India}}
| state = [[Kerala]]
| district = [[Pathanamthitta District|Pathanamthitta]]
| location = [[Aranmula]]
| elevation_m = 36.8
| deity = Parthasarathy<br>([[Krishna]])
| primary_deity_Godess =
| utsava_deity_God =
| utsava_deity_Godess=
| Direction_posture =
| Pushakarani =
| Vimanam =
| festivals = [[Aranmula Boat Race]]
| architecture = [[Tamil architecture]]
| temple_quantity = One
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
}}

The '''Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] located in [[Aranmula]], a village in [[Pathanamthitta District]], [[Kerala]], [[South India]], on the southern bank of [[Pamba River|Pamba river]], the third longest river in Kerala. It is dedicated to the Lord [[Krishna]], who is worshipped as Parthasarathy ([[Arjuna]]'s charioteer). Constructed in the [[Architecture of Kerala|Kerala style of architecture]], it is one of the "[[Divya Desams]]", the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the [[Alvar]] saints.

It is one of the most important [[Krishna]] temples in Kerala and is one of the five ancient shrines in Kerala, connected with the legend of the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', where the five [[Pandavas]] are believed to have built one temple each; Aranmula is built by the Pandava prince Arjuna.

The sacred jewels, called ''Thiruvabharanam'' of [[Ayyappan]] are taken in procession to [[Sabarimala]] each year from Pandalam, and Aranmula Temple is one of the stops on the way. Also, the ''Thanka Anki'', golden attire of Ayyappan, donated by the king of Travancore, is stored here and taken to Sabarimala during the Mandala season of late December.

Aranmula is also known for [[Aranmula Boat Race|snake boat race]] held every year during [[Onam]] linked to the legends of the ''Mahabharata''. The temple has four towers over its entrances on its outer wall. The Eastern tower is accessed through a flight of 18 steps and the Northern tower entrance flight through 57 steps leads to the [[Pamba River|Pamba]] River. The temples has paintings on its walls dating back to early 18th century.

The temple is open from 4 am to 11:00 am and 5 pm to 8 pm and is administered by [[Travancore Devaswom Board]] of the [[Government of Kerala]].

==Legend==
The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is one of the five ancient shrines in the [[Chengannur]] area of Kerala, connected with the legend of the Hindu epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. Legend has it that the [[Pandava]] princes, after crowning [[Parikshit]] as king of [[Hastinapura]] left on a pilgrimage. On arriving on the banks of [[Pamba River]], each one is believed to have installed a tutelary image of Krishna; [[Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple]] by [[Yudhishthira]], [[Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple]] by [[Bheema]], Aranmula by [[Arjuna]], [[Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple]] by [[Nakula]] and [[Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple]] to [[Sahadeva]].<ref name=culture>[[#Culture|Cultural Heritage of Kerala 2008]], pp. 44-45</ref><ref name=RoaA>[[#Rao|Rao 2012]], pp. 17-20</ref> Legend has it that Arjuna built this temple, to expiate for the sin of having killed [[Karna]] on the battlefield, against the [[dharma]] of killing an unarmed enemy. It is also believed that here, Vishnu revealed the knowledge of creation to the god [[Brahma]], from whom the [[Madhu-Kaitabha]] demons stole the [[Vedas]].<ref name="Ramesh">{{cite book|title=108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Malai Nadu and Vada Nadu|last= M. S. |first=Ramesh|publisher= Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam|year=2000|page=188}}</ref>

The image of the temple was brought here in a raft made of six pieces of bamboo to this site, and hence the name "Aranmula" (six pieces of bamboo). There is another story, which says it was brought in a raft made of seven pieces of bamboo, out of which one got separated at a place 2 km upstream of the current Temple's location on the banks of Pamba. The place is called "Mulavoor Kadavu" meaning "river bank where the bamboo pole came off". There are still descendants of a family of Ayurveda physicians with great lineage by that name Mulavoor residing there.<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=56}}</ref> As per other legend, the place derives its name from ''arin-villai'', a land near a river.<ref name="Dalal2011">{{cite book|author=Roshen Dalal|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2011|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|page=195|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&q=aranmula+temple&pg=PT195}}</ref>

As per another legend, during the [[battle of Kurukshetra]], the [[Kaurava]] prince [[Duryodhana]] had taunted [[Bhishma]] of not using his full might in fighting the Pandavas. This taunt by Duryodhana filled Bhishma with rage. Bhishma took a vow to fight with such ferocity the next day that Krishna himself would be forced to break his vow of not using a weapon during the war in order to protect Arjuna. On the ninth day of the battle, the Kauravas reigned supreme under the leadership of Bhishma, when Krishna motivated Arjuna to take initiative and vanquish his foe. Bhishma was unparalleled with the use of celestial weapons in such a manner that Arjuna could not counter the onslaught. Arrows after arrows fired from Bhishma's bow breached the defenses of Arjuna and inflicted wounds to his body by penetrating his armour. The string of Arjuna's bow, the [[Gandiva]] was snapped during the battle. Seeing Arjuna's plight, Krishna jumped down in rage, and took up his [[Sudarshana Chakra|sudarshana chakra]] charging towards Bhishma. Bhishma was overfilled with joy and surrendered to Krishna. Meanwhile, Arjuna beseeched Krishna not to kill Bhishma, as it would have been against Krishna's vow to take up arms in his battle. It is believed that it is this image of Krishna that is enshrined here, with the Sudarshana chakra This symbolizes the Lord's act of compassion to both his devotees on either side of the battle. Krishna broke his vow to protect Arjuna and also to fulfill the promise that his ardent devotee Bhishma had made.<ref name=RoaA/>

Krishna presiding here in the [[Vishvarupa]] form is considered as "Annadana Prabhu" (The Lord who provides food) along with other temples like [[Vaikom Mahadeva Temple]] and [[Sabarimala]]. It is believed that those whose [[Annaprashana]] is performed at the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple would never be affected by the pangs of poverty throughout their life.

[[Aranmula kannadi|Aranmula Mirror]] is also related to the history of this temple.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Rough Guide to South India|year=2004|author1=David Abram|author2=Nick Edwards|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=1843531038|page=348|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEhJBfbhTAAC&q=Aranmula+Parthasarathy+Temple&pg=PA348}}</ref> The king of Travancore wanted to donate a crown made of rare metal to the temple and he found a rare combination of copper and lead.<ref name=Info/> It is believed as per the tradition that preparing the metal polished mirror was produced only by a family. In modern times, the College of Fine Arts have started producing it on commercial scale.<ref>[[#Culture|Cultural Heritage of Kerala 2008]], p. 159</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:Aranmula Parthasarathy 1.JPG|thumb|200px|left|The outer walls around the sanctum housing the structure of lamps, called ''Vilakkumaadam'']]
The temple is built in [[Architecture of Kerala|Kerala style architecture]], which is common in all temples in the South Indian state of Kerala in eastern axis. The temple has an elevated structure reached by a flight of 20 steps. The temple has a two-storeyed [[gopuram]] or a gateway tower, with the upper storey having wooden trails covering the ''Kottupura'' (a hall of drum beating during festivals). A rectangular wall around the temple, called ''Kshetra-Madilluka'', pierced by the gateways, encloses all the shrines of the temple. The metal plated flagpost or ''[[Dwajasthambam]]'' is located axial to the temple tower leading to the central sanctum and there is a ''Deepastamba'', which is the light post. ''Chuttuambalam'' is the outer pavilion within the temple walls. The central shrine and the associated hall is located in a rectangular structure called ''Nallambalam'', which has pillared halls and corridors.<ref name=RoaB>[[#Rao|Rao 2012]], pp. 12-13</ref> Between the entrance of ''Nalambalam'' to the sanctum, there is a raised square platform called ''Namaskara Mandapam'' which has a pyramidal roof. ''Thevrapura'', the kitchen used to cook offering to the deity is located on the left of Namaskara Mandapa from the entrance. ''Balithara'' is an altar is used for making ritualistic offering to demi-gods and the festive deities. The central shrine called ''Sreekovil'' houses the image of the presiding deity, who is a standing four-armed Lord Vishnu worshipped as ''Parthasarathy''. It is on an elevated platform with a single door reached through a flight of five steps. Either sides of the doors have images of guardian deities called [[Dvarapala]]kas. As per Kerala rituals, only the main priest called [[Thantri]] and the second priest called [[Melshanthi]] alone can enter the ''Sree Kovil''.<ref>[[#Culture|Cultural Heritage of Kerala 2008]], p. 139</ref> The central shrine has a circular plan with the base built of granite, superstructure built of laterite and conical roof made of terracotta tile supported from inside by a wooden structure. The lower half of ''Sree Kovil'' consists of the basement, the pillar or the wall, called ''stambha'' or ''{{Transliteration|ml|bhithi}}'' and the entablature called ''{{Transliteration|ml|prasthara}}'' in the ratio 1:2:1, in height. Similarly the upper half is divided into the neck called ''griva'', the roof tower called ''[[shikhara]]'' and the conical ''[[kalasam]]'' (made of copper) in the same ratio. The roof projects in two levels to protect the inner structure from heavy rains during monsoon. The roof of the temple and some of the pillars have lavish wood and stucco carvings depicting various stories of ancient epics, [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharatha]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Indian Encyclopaedia: Kamli-Kyouk Phyu|editor=Subodh Kapoor|page=3963|publisher=Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd|year=2002|isbn=9788177552577|volume=13|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AYN0n0pzlpcC&q=kerala+temple+architecture&pg=PA3963}}</ref> The outer walls around the sanctum have a series of wooden frames housing an array of lamps, which are lit during festive occasions.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Architecture and Organization of Kerala Style Hindu Temples|jstor=40460291|page=17|last=Noble|first=William A.|journal=Anthropos|year=1981|volume=76|issue=1/2|issn=0257-9774}}</ref> The temples have paintings on its walls dating back to early 18 century.<ref name=culture23>[[#Culture|Cultural Heritage of Kerala 2008]], p. 151</ref> The image of the presiding deity is {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall, making it the tallest among the idols of all Krishna temples in Kerala. Krishna is in [[Vishvarupa]] pose, the one he depicted to Arjuna during the Mahabharatha war. It is thus considered to be in fierce form. As per one legend, Arjuna is believed to have built the temple in Nilakal Narayanapuram and later brought to Aranmula in a raft made with six bamboo.<ref name=Info>{{cite book|title=Pilgrimage to Temple Heritage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nAt8AgAAQBAJ&q=aranmula+temple&pg=PA115|pages=115–116|publisher=Infokerala Communications Pvt. Ltd.|first=Biju|last=Mathew|isbn=9788192128443|year=2013}}</ref> In the second precinct, there are shrines of Sastha, Yakshi, Nagaraja and Erangavil Bhagavathy. There is another shrine for Balarama in the lower shrine, considered to be older than the main shrine.<ref name=Info/>

==Aranmula Temple Utsavam==
The annual Utsavam commences on the Atham Nakshatra in the month of Makara and concludes ten days later on the Thiruvonam day.
Garuda Vahanam Ezhunellippu is the main event during this ten day festival. This event falls on the fifth day of the annual festival and is also called ''Anchaam Purappadu''. The deity is taken out from the sanctum sanctorum mounted on [[Garuda]]. It is believed that all 33 million Devas (the elements of nature) and Gandharvas would be present in the temple at that time to witness Lord Krishna riding on his vahana, the [[Garuda]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-01-08 |title=Aranmula temple festival begins with Kodiyettu ceremony |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Aranmula-temple-festival-begins-with-Kodiyettu-ceremony/article16836591.ece |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Other Festivities==
[[File:Kerala boatrace.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race]]
As per Hindu legend in Mahabharata, Arjuna, one of the Pandavas was returning with the image of Krishna after along penance. He faced a huge flood in the Pamba river. A poor low caste Hindu helped him cross the river with a raft made with six bamboos. It is believed that the [[Aranmula Boat Race]] is celebrated annually on the [[Pamba River|Pamba]] river to commemorate the poor Hindu.<ref name=Usha>{{cite book|title=Festivals In Indian Society (2 Vols. Set)|last=Sharma|first=Usha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6OYRUEAF7oC&q=aranmula+temple&pg=PA124|publisher=Mittal Publications|year=2008|isbn=9788183241137|page=25}}</ref> The race is held on the last day of the [[Onam festival]] when snake boats around {{convert|100|ft|m|abbr=on}} with four helmsmen, 100 rowers and 25 singers participate. The boats move in pairs to the rhythm of music. After the watersport, there is an elaborate feast in the Aranmula temple.<ref>{{cite book|title=Kerala Tradition & Fascinating Destinations|publisher=Infokerala Communications Pvt. Ltd|pages=195–196|last=Mathew|first=Biju|isbn=9788192128481|year=2012|location=Kerala, India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vTunBAAAQBAJ&q=aranmula+temple&pg=PA194}}</ref> The festival is the largest boat race festival held in Kerala and is attended by thousands of visitors.<ref name=Usha/> The festival was largely a religious one until 1978, when the Government of Kerala declared it a sports event, but during 2000, the religious festivities were restored.<ref name=High/>

The Malayalam month of [[Meenam]] witnesses a festival where Aranmula Parthasarathy is taken in a grand procession on the [[Garuda]] [[Vahana|mount]] to the Pampa river bank, where an image of the [[Bhagawati]] from the nearby [[Punnamthode]] temple is brought in procession for the ''[[Arattu]]'' festival.<ref name=Info/>

Another festival celebrated here is the [[Khandavanadahanam]] celebrated in the [[Malayalam]] month of [[Dhanus (month)|Dhanus]]. For this festival, a replica of a forest is created in front of the temple with dried plants, leaves and twigs. This bonfire is lit, symbolic of the [[Khandavana]] forest fire of the Mahabharata.

The heads of three Brahmin households in Aranmula and nearby Nedumprayar follow a tradition of fasting on Thiruvonam. The tradition reportedly dates back to more than two centuries. It is believed that once a Brahmin made a vow to feed one pilgrim every day. Pleased with his devotion, the presiding deity appeared to him. From then on, the Brahmin was overjoyed and he made it a custom to feed to conduct a feast every year, which is practised in modern times. The feast is conducted after the boat race.<ref name=High>{{cite journal|title=The Snake Boats of Kerala: Pageantry prevails in a yearly festival along the tropical River Pampa|journal=Hinduism Today|date=31 August 2001|last=Gopalakrishnan|first=Vrindavanam|access-date=8 August 2015|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-79274521.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924182049/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-79274521.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-access= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/28/stories/2007082854440500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120140026/http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/28/stories/2007082854440500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 November 2007|title=Fasting on Thiruvonam related to Aranmula temple|date=28 August 2007|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=8 August 2015}}</ref>

==Religious importance==
The temple is revered in ''[[Nalayira Divya Prabandham]]'', the 7th–9th century Vaishnavite saint from Tamil Nadu, [[Nammalvar]] in one Tamil hymn. The temple is classified as a ''[[Divyadesam]]'', one of the 108 Vishnu temples. [[Thirumangai Alvar]] have sung in praise of the deity in this temple with eleven hymns. Thulabaram, the practice of weighing oneself against material and donating it to the temple is practiced here. The Vanni tree in the temple is believed to have medicinal values. The fruits of the Vanni tree are also weighed in Thulabaram and also used for curing diseases of the devotees. It is the place where [[Brahma]] is believed to have worshiped Vishnu to retrieve the [[Veda]]s from the two demons named Madhu and Kaitibha. The image of Parthasarathy is believed to have been installed by Arjuna himself. The temple is used to store the jewels of the [[Sabarimala temple]].<ref name=R>{{cite book|title=An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam|last=R.|first=Dr. Vijayalakshmy|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies| location=Chennai|year=2001|edition=1st|ref=R.|pages=551–2}}</ref>

==Temple administration==
The temple is open from 4 am to 11:00 am and 5 pm to 8 pm and is administered by [[Travancore Devaswom Board]] of the [[Government of Kerala]]. The king of Travancore maintained the golden dress in the temple, offered to Sabarimala Ayyapan Temple. The practise of offering the golden dress to Sabarimala temple annually is done by the board.<ref name=Info/>

==See also==
* [[Temples of Kerala]]
* [[Aranmula Palace (Aranmula Kottaram)|Aranmula kottaram]]
* [[Anikkattilammakshethram]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

;Sources
{{refbegin|20em}}
* {{cite book|title=Cultural Heritage of Kerala|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R7QNGkZKc5wC&q=kerala+temple+architecture&pg=PA139|publisher=DC Books|location=Kerala, India|isbn=9788126419036|year=2008|ref=Culture}}
* {{cite book|title=Temples of Kerala|publisher=Vasan Publications|last=Rao|first=A.V. Shankaranaryana|ref=Rao|year=2012|isbn=978-81-89888-94-7}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Aranmula_Parthasarathy_Temple&params=9_19_41.2_N_76_41_16.4_E_type:landmark_region:IN GeoHack - Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple]

{{Commons category|Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple}}

{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}
{{Famous Vishnu temples}}

[[Category:Divya Desams| ]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Pathanamthitta district]]
[[Category:Aranmula]]
[[Category:Krishna temples]]

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple - Revision history

JerilynCropper5 at 14:56, 12 April 2026