Aranmula Boat Race
Encyclopedia
The Aranmula Boat Race the oldest river boat fiesta in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, the south western State of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
is held during Onam (August-September). It takes place at Aranmula
Aranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
, near a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full-throated singing and shouting watched by an exciting crowd. In 1972, snake boat races were also added to the program of the festival. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pampa
Pampa
The Pampas are the fertile South American lowlands, covering more than , that include the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Córdoba, most of Uruguay, and the southernmost Brazilian State, Rio Grande do Sul...
to watch the snake boat races. In 2009 forty one snake boats or chundan vallam
Chundan Vallam
Chundan Vallam , known to the outside world as Kerala snake boats, are one of the icons of Kerala culture used in the Vallamkali -Architecture:...
s had participated in the festival. The oarsmen sing traditional boat songs and wear white mundu
Mundu
The mundu is a garment worn around the waist in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, Kerala and Maldives. This garment is closely related to the Dhoti, Sarong, and Lungi. In South Kanara, a district of Karnataka state, the Tulu speaking folk and Beary community also wear the mundu. It is...
and turbans. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the center make it a show of pageantry too.
Aranmula temple
AranmulaAranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa
Pampa
The Pampas are the fertile South American lowlands, covering more than , that include the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Córdoba, most of Uruguay, and the southernmost Brazilian State, Rio Grande do Sul...
. The famous temple at Aranmula
Aranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
is dedicated to Sree Parthasarathy of Lord Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
as the divine charioteer of Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
. A rough estimate puts the age of this temple to 1700 years.
Palliyodams (snake boats)
Aranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
’s unique snake boats (‘’Chundan Vallam
Chundan Vallam
Chundan Vallam , known to the outside world as Kerala snake boats, are one of the icons of Kerala culture used in the Vallamkali -Architecture:...
’’) 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
Pampa
The Pampas are the fertile South American lowlands, covering more than , that include the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Córdoba, most of Uruguay, and the southernmost Brazilian State, Rio Grande do Sul...
. Each one 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
Umbrella
An umbrella or parasol is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The term parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun; umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain...
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 VedasVedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
, 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
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
with its hood raised. Its hull is built of planks precisely 83 feet in length and six inches wide.
Care of a snake boat
Every year the boats are oiled mainly with fish oil, coconutCoconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
shell, and carbon, mixed with eggs to keep the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. The village carpenter
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
carries out annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and represents their village.
Getting onto a snake boat
- Only men of the village are allowed to be in the boat.
- Dress. White loin cloth (MunduMunduThe mundu is a garment worn around the waist in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, Kerala and Maldives. This garment is closely related to the Dhoti, Sarong, and Lungi. In South Kanara, a district of Karnataka state, the Tulu speaking folk and Beary community also wear the mundu. It is...
) and turbanTurbanIn English, Turban refers to several types of headwear popularly worn in the Middle East, North Africa, Punjab, Jamaica and Southwest Asia. A commonly used synonym is Pagri, the Indian word for turban.-Styles:...
. - 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 vanchipattu (boatman's song). Standing on the platform in the middle of the boat, the main singer will lead the vanchipattu. A few singers will be with the main leader while others will stand at the middle between the oarsmen.
Vanchipattu
The singers lead the ‘’Vanchipattu’’ (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 thoy-
- Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney-
- Oarsmen – Thitha tha thi- thei thei,
- Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Pathni
- Oarsmen – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Pathni
- All together – Ohh thei thei - thei thei - thei thakathoy,
-
-
- Thii thitho - thiyo thikitho Thim.
-
-
- 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
Festivals
A number of colourful festivals rich in traditions are held at AranmulaAranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
temple every year. The most important festival is the traditional palliyodam regatta
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
(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 ‘’ThiruvonamOnam
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
’’ day people of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
celebrate it with a feast. Aranmula
Aranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
celebrations begin with the arrival of Thiruvonathoni (special boats) from Kattoor. For a sumptuous meal for the Lord at Aranmula
Aranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
, a boat with the necessary provisions, and an ever-burning lamp, set off its journey from the temple at Kattoor at 6 pm so that it could reach Aranmula
Aranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
temple by 4 am the next day, the Thiruonam day. At 6 pm long main rudder-oar (Adanayampu) will be presented to the temple at Kattoor
Kattoor
Kattoor is a village near Kozhencherry on the southern side of Pamba river on the way from Kozhencherry to Ranni in Cherukole Panchayath in Pathanamthitta District which is part of the state of Kerala, India....
and then it will be handed over to the leading oarsman. Mr. Bhattathiri
Bhattathiri
Bhattathiri are members of the Namboothiri caste of Kerala, India. Some families among the Namboothiri community became Bhattathiris in one of the following three ways:* Saasthra Bhattathiris * Smaartha Bhattathiris...
of Mangaatt Illam
Illam
Illam is a malayalee lineage system used for classification and identification of castes in Kerala, South India. The House of Namboothiries are also called the Brahmaalayam or Mana...
with 18 men will get into the boat and it will begin its journey to Aranmula
Aranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
. 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 Thiruvonam
Onam
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
day all these palliyodams will accompany the Thiruvonathoni.
Uthrittathi
It is considered that ‘’Uthrittathi’’ day is the anniversary of the installation of the idol consecrated in the south, by PandavaPandava
In the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, the Pandava are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu , by his two wives Kunti and Madri. Their names are Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Although, Karna is told by Lord Krishna that according to the laws and ethics he is the first son of Kunti making...
s. So on that day, there will be a Snake boat regatta
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
in front of the Aranmula
Aranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
temple.
Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya
254 vallasadyas 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 45 side dishes were served at the Sadya on banana leaves including the following side dishes.
- 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 PampaPampaThe Pampas are the fertile South American lowlands, covering more than , that include the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Córdoba, most of Uruguay, and the southernmost Brazilian State, Rio Grande do Sul...
; 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 2009
(Maximum number of men allowed in the boat and total length of the snake boats are given in brackets.)- ArattupuzhaArattupuzhaArattupuzha is a village located in Thrissur district of Kerala in southern India, and is home to the annual Arattupuzha Pooram that stages the grand spectacle of scores of caparisoned elephants lined up in a row to the accompaniment of ethnic percussion concerts.- History :Located on the banks of...
. (139, .. ) - AyroorAyroorAyroor is a village situated on the western part of Ranni Taluk of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala state, India. Formerly, Ayroor was part of Tiruvalla Taluk in Alleppey District and is considered as part of Edanadu in Kerala. The Pamba River flows by the southern side of this scenic village and...
(125, 143’) - ChennithalaChennithalaChennithala is a village in Mavelikkara taluk of Alleppey district, Kerala, South India. It belongs to old Onattukara. This village consists mainly of paddy fields and coconut groves. The late kathakali dancer Chennithala Chellappan Pillai and KPCC President Sri...
. (80, 117). - Cherukol (110, 99’)
- Edanad. (.., 146)
- Edappavur. (110, 123)
- Edappavur –Peroor (110, 142’)
- EdasserimalaEdasserimalaEdasserimala is the host kara for the Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali river boat fiesta. It is a small village in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region in Kerala state, South India....
. (.., 139). - EdasserimalaEdasserimalaEdasserimala is the host kara for the Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali river boat fiesta. It is a small village in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region in Kerala state, South India....
- East.. (85, 139). - Edayaranmula. (130,146’)
- Edayaranmula- East. (100, 146’)
- KadapraKadapraKadapra is a village in Pathanamthitta district in the state of Kerala, India.-Demographics: India census, Kadapra had a population of 25101 with 11922 males and 13179 females....
. (.., ..) - Keezhvanmazhi (110, 139)
- Kattoor (80, 140’)
- Keezhukara. (135, 142’). Stern Height 20’, the one having the longest
- Kodiattukara. (80, ..)
- KoipramKoipramKoipram is a town in Kerala, India. It is part of the Tiruvalla taluk of the Pathanamthitta district of the Central Travancore region. The towns of Kumbanad and Pullad are nearby....
(100, 139). 84 years old. - Kottathur. (60, ..)
- KozhencherryKozhencherryKozhencherry is a small town in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region in Kerala state, South India. It is on the banks of river Pampa. It is a commercial centre with many of the Banks and trade companies have their establishments here. It is believed that once the Kovilans of...
(100, 133’) - Kuriannoor. (100, 139’)
- Lhaha. (95, 140’)
- Malakkara (110, 143’)
- MallappuzhasseryMallappuzhasseryMallappuzhassery is a village situated in the Greater Kozhencherry region near the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, in the Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India. The border starts from the midst of the temple ground running north–south: the eastern part is Mallappuzhassery and the western part is...
(.., 99’) - Mangalam. (85, ..)
- Melukara (.., 142’)
- MaramonMaramonMaramon is a small town on the Pampa River, opposite to Kozhencherry town in the state of Kerala, India. It is 12 km from the Pathanamthitta district headquarters, the town of Pathanamthitta. Maramon is famous because of the Maramon Convention, the largest Christian gathering in Asia...
. (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’)
- RanniRanniRanni , sometimes spelled Ranny, is one of the 5 Taluks in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, in India. According to the Census of India 2001, the population was 207,782. The taluk headquarters is a small township on both sides of the Pamba River. Ranni is also one of the largest taluks in...
. (.., 121’) - Thekkemuri (112, 137’)
- ThottapuzhasseryThottapuzhasseryThottapuzhassery is a place near Kozhencherry in Kerala, India. It is situated opposite side of Aranmula.-Description:There is a Palliyodam named Thottapuzhassery. Every year it is attended the Aranmula Boat Race occurred in Utruttati. It also attend on Thiruvonathoni Goshayatra to Aranmula...
. (85, ..) - Thymaravumkara. (64, 124)
- Umayattukara. (110, 120’)
- Vanmazhi. (70, 120).
- Venpala (.., 125’)
-
-
- AranmulaAranmulaAranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
regatta (Vallam Kali) is part of the cultural heritage of Kerala state as a whole and AranmulaAranmulaAranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
in particular.
- Aranmula
-
Other renowned boat races in Kerala
- President's Trophy Boat RacePresident's Trophy Boat RaceThe President's Trophy Boat Race is a popular Vallam Kali held on the Ashtamudi lake on Atham day which marks the start of Onam Celebrations in Indian state of Kerala....
- Champakulam Moolam Boat RaceChampakulam Moolam Boat RaceThe Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is the oldest and most popular vallam kali in Kerala state of south India. The race is held on the river Pampa on Moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple.-The legend:It is said...
- Nehru Trophy Boat RaceNehru Trophy Boat RaceThe Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a popular Vallam Kali held in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Vallam Kali or Vallamkali literally means boat play/game, but can be translated to boat race in English. The most popular event of the race is the competition of Chundan Vallams . Hence the...
- Payippad Jalotsavam
- Kumarakom Boat Race
- Kallada Boat RaceKallada Boat RaceThe Kallada Jalotsavam is a popular Vallam Kali held on the Kallada River at Munroe Thuruthu on 28 days after Onam in Indian state of Kerala.The boat race is conducted along the straight portion of Kallada River...
- Pampa Boat Race, Neerettupuram
See also
- Aranmula kottaramAranmula KottaramAranmula Kottaram or Aranmula Palace is an old palace at Aranmula, a historical and traditional village in Kerala, India. Aranmula Palace was built more than 200 years ago. This palace is known as Aranmula Vadakke Kottaram. Aranmula palace is the halt place of holy journey "Thiruvabharana khosa...
- Chundan VallamChundan VallamChundan Vallam , known to the outside world as Kerala snake boats, are one of the icons of Kerala culture used in the Vallamkali -Architecture:...
- Nehru Trophy Boat RaceNehru Trophy Boat RaceThe Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a popular Vallam Kali held in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Vallam Kali or Vallamkali literally means boat play/game, but can be translated to boat race in English. The most popular event of the race is the competition of Chundan Vallams . Hence the...
- Vallam KaliVallam KaliVallam Kali literally means boat race in Malayalam. It is the traditional boat race in Kerala It is mainly conducted during the season of the harvest festival Onam in autumn....
- OnamOnamOnam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
- Cuisine of KeralaCuisine of KeralaThe cuisine of Kerala is linked in all its richness to the history, geography, demography and culture of the land. Kerala cuisine has a multitude of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes prepared using fish, poultry and meat.-Ingredients:...
- AranmulaAranmulaAranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
External links
- http://www.aranmulavallamkali.com
- Aranmula Vallamkali 2010
- Aranmula
- A foreigner's experience of Aranmula snake boats - Onam 2011