The Aranmula Temple known as Aranmula Sree Parthasarthy Temple had its idol brought here in a very raft created with aru (Six) items of mula (bamboo) this can be what gave the place Aranmula it’s name further. Dedicated to the diety Lord Krishna, the temple is located on the banks of river Pamba.
Valla sadya is a crucial event control at the temple on the eve of Ashtami Rohini, within the south Dravidian month of Chingam. It is the birthday of Lord Krishna which is one of the famous festivals celebrated here. The sadya is huge and consists of around sixty kinds of food given by the devotees to Lord Krishna, the presiding divinity of the temple.
The procession carrying rice, provision, vegetables and other articles in a specially designed vessel, Thiruvonthoni, for the fest on the Thiruvonam day at the Sree Parthasarthy Temple is additionally a wonderful event to see. At a distance of 15 km from Pathanamthitta, Sri Parthasarathi Temple is a famous Hindu temple situated at Aranmula. Located on the banks of the holy river Pamba, it is one of the most ancient places of pilgrimage in Kerala, and among the must include places in Pathanamthitta packages.
Sri Parthasarathi Temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna. It is one of the 108 Divyadesams dedicated to Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, who is worshipped as Parthasarathi. This temple is believed to be one of the five temples built by the Pandavas. The other four being Chengannur (Yuddhisthra), Tiruppuliyur (Bhima), Tiruvanvandur (Nakula) and Tirukkodittaanam (Sahadeva). Aranmula temple is said to be built by Arjuna to expiate for the sin of having killed Karna on the battlefield, against the dharma of killing an unarmed enemy. The annual temple festival that lasts for 10 days is celebrated as the anniversary of the installation of the temple idol. The festival which falls during the Onam season is more popular for its water carnival known as Aranmula Vallamkali. A tradition of sending rice and other materials on a water boat as an offering for a feast to the nearby village relates to the origin of the festival and this tradition is continued even today. The festival commences with the kodiyettam (flag hoisting) and concludes with Arattu (the holy dip of the image of the deity) in the Pamba River. Garudavahana ezhunallathu is a colorful procession held during the festival where Lord Parthasarathi is taken on the garuda mount to the Pampa riverbank with the accompaniments of caparisoned elephants and Panchavadyam.
Another festival celebrated here is the Khandavanadahanam in the Malayalam month of Dhanus. During the festival, a replica of a forest is created in front of the temple with dried plants, leaves, and twigs. Then a bonfire is lit symbolizing the Khandavana forest fire of the Mahabharata. Ashtami Rohini, the birthday of Sri Krishna is also celebrated in this temple. The place is a world heritage village. United Nations has recognized Aranmula as a global heritage area. This temple is out of 5 temples built by the Pandava brothers in Chengannur. The five temples are Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple built by Yudhishthira, Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple built by Bheema, Aranmula built by Arjuna, Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple built by Nakula and Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple built by Sahadeva.
Aranmula is popular for its metal mirrors. The story of these mirrors begins from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. As per myth, once the Travancore king decided to donate a crown to Lord Krishna. He was looking for a crown of rare metal. At this time, he got a rare combination of copper and lead.
