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Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple
Krishna as Parthasarathy · Divya Desam · Kerala
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple in Kerala enshrines Krishna as Parthasarathy — the charioteer of Arjuna on the field of Kurukshetra. One of the 108 Divya Desams sung by the Tamil Alvar saints, it stands on the bank of the sacred Pamba river and is famous for the Aranmula snake-boat regatta, the grand Vallasadya feast, and the metal Aranmula mirror.
The charioteer of Arjuna
Parthasarathy means “charioteer of Partha (Arjuna),” the role Krishna took in the Mahabharata war, guiding the prince and revealing the Bhagavad Gita. At Aranmula the lord is worshipped in this form, and the temple is counted among the Divya Desams, the holiest abodes of Vishnu praised in early Tamil devotion.
The snake boats of the Pamba
Aranmula is bound to the river by the Palliyodam, the long ceremonial snake-boats kept for the deity. On the Uthrittathi day each autumn the boats glide on the Pamba in a famous regatta, and the Vallasadya — a vast boat feast — is offered to the lord and the oarsmen. The rituals of river, boat and temple are woven together as in few other shrines.
Kerala craft and the Aranmula mirror
The temple is built in the Kerala style, with sloping tiled roofs and a tank, set in the green country of Pathanamthitta. The town is the home of the Aranmula Kannadi, the handmade metal-alloy mirror polished to a flawless reflection — a craft passed down for generations and regarded as auspicious.
How to reach Aranmula
- By road: Aranmula is about 10 km from Chengannur and roughly 30 km from Pathanamthitta, in central Kerala.
- By train: Chengannur is the nearest railway station.
- By air: Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports are each about 110–120 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the deity at Aranmula?
The deity is Krishna worshipped as Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vishnu.
What is the Aranmula boat race?
On the Uthrittathi day each autumn, the temple’s ceremonial snake-boats (Palliyodam) take part in a famous regatta on the Pamba river, accompanied by the grand Vallasadya boat feast.
What is an Aranmula mirror?
The Aranmula Kannadi is a handmade metal-alloy mirror, polished to a perfect reflection, crafted only in Aranmula and regarded as auspicious.
What is a Divya Desam?
A Divya Desam is one of the 108 abodes of Vishnu praised in the hymns of the Tamil Alvar saints. Aranmula Parthasarathy is one of them.
How do I reach Aranmula?
Aranmula is about 10 km from Chengannur in central Kerala. Chengannur is the nearest railway station, and Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports are each around 110–120 km away.
What is the Vallasadya?
The Vallasadya is an elaborate feast offered to the deity and to the oarsmen of the snake-boats, one of the largest vegetarian banquets associated with any Kerala temple.
॥ जय श्री कृष्ण ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Krishna as Parthasarathy (Arjuna’s charioteer) |
| Significance | One of the 108 Divya Desams |
| River | Pamba |
| Known for | Snake-boat regatta (Uthrittathi), Vallasadya feast, Aranmula mirror |
| Architecture | Kerala style |
| Nearest Station | Chengannur |