ARANMULA: It is 10 km away from Chengannur on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam route. It is a little temple town in Pathanamthitta District, surrounded by undulating green hillocks and girdled by the holy river Pampa. Its rural outskirts form part of the ‘Kozhencherry Gulf Belt’ and the modern concrete houses that one sees all around bear testimony to the affluence brought to the area by the Gulf boom. Aranmula is famed for its hand-made mirrors of polished metal called ‘Aranmula Kannadi’. Aranmula is also a popular pilgrim center with its Lord Krishna Temple and the annual snake boat races held in connection with the temple festival during August-September,
THE UTHIRITTATHI BOAT RACE : A visit to the banks of the river Pampa at Aranmula on the day of the Uthirittathi Boat Race, which falls in early September, is a pleasurable experience. This boat race brings out all that is true and beautiful in Kerala’s unique culture. The processions of the Palliyodams or the sacred boats as well as their races are conducted along the channel by the south bank. The best place to enjoy the spectacle is the north bank where one can move around freely, mixing with the festive crowd. The Palliyodams of each village, bedecked with rich ornamentations resembling the traditional Kerala caparisons on elephant’s trunks, is hauled on to Pampa before the day break by men who had come to the bank after their morning worship in temples. At the arrival of the auspicious hour, which is decided in advance after consultation with the astrologer, the boat men climb on to the sacred boats. With rhythmic movements of their oars and devotional songs, they row the boats to the venue of the regatta. By noon, over 30 palliyodams will have assembled on the expanse of the river facing the Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula. The air rents with the singing of the ‘Kuchelavritham Vanchipattu’, a devotional song written by Ramapurathu Warrier. The oarsmen move their oars with a graceful flourish to suit the rhythm of the song. Each man on the Palliyodam will be attired in silk-laced white dhoti with a matching towel wound around his head and his temple and bare chest will be smeared with sandal paste.
The music and the graceful movements of so many palliyodams on the Pampa transport the spectator to a dream-like experience. Even the leaves fluttering in the wind and the ripples of the river seem to be charged with a strange music. The spirit of Onam and the pristine charm and simplicity of Kerala culture are brought out by this king of all regattas. This famous boat race is conducted in connection with a legend associated with the temple at Aranmula
THE VIJNANA KALA VEDI CULTURAL CENTER: It is 12 km away from Changanacherry. It was founded by a French Scholar, Louba Schild under the Indo-French Cultural Exchange Programme. It was started with UNESCO aid. This cultural centre offers residential training courses in Katha Kali, Mohiniyattam, Bharata Natyam, Carnatic Vocal Music, Painting, Kalarippayattu, Wood Carving, Percussion Instruments, Ayurvedic Treatment, Religion, Mythology etc. Details can be had from the Director, Vijnana Kalavedi Cultural Centre, Aranmula, Kerala. Click here for more details
KOZHANCHERRY: It is situated 13 km from Pathanamthitta on the banks of the river Pamba. The place is famous for the MARAMON CONVENTION, the biggest religious gathering of Christians in Asia, held in February-March on the banks of the river Pamba. Christians from all over India assemble here to listen to the gospels read and expounded by scholars of Christianity drawn from India and abroad.
SABARIMALA: This well-known pilgrim centre is in the rugged terrains of the Western Ghats. The holy shrine, situated atop the Sabarimala, is dedicated to LORD AYYAPPA. It attracts millions of pilgrims from far and near. The 5 km stretch from Pamba to the shrine can only be reached by trekking. The main pilgrimage season is November to January.