Onam 2012 Aranmula Boat Race

The Aranmula Boat Race rows off on September 1, 2012

Venue – Pampa river, Aranmula Parthasarthy Temple

The oldest regatta of Kerala, the Aranmula Boat race is a tribute to the time when Lord Krishna, the divine sarathy (charioteer) to Parth (Arjun, Pandav Prince) took abode as the presiding deity at Aranmula Parthasarthy Temple

Legend has it that a devout Brahmin vowed to feed one pilgrim a day. One day, Lord Krishna presented himself as a pilgrim to the Brahmin. Ecstatic at being thus blessed, the Brahmin pledged 51 measures of rice and to provide for the traditional Onam feast called the Thiruvona Sadya at the Aranmula Parthasarthy Temple on the banks of the river Pampa

On the way to the temple, the boat carrying the sadya was attacked. Snake boats or chundam vallams raced to protect the Lord’s offering

The sadya was then borne in style in Palliyodams, larger snake boats used mainly by royals

Since then, every year, the tradition of the snake boats gathering on the river Pampa to escort the Lord continues

It is a two day event

The first day, there’s a carnival with a towering idol of Lord Krishna and children enact a costume drama dressed as nymphs and princesses

On the second day the boats gather, one each from the villages along the river Pampa

The boats decorated with flags, parasol and flowers arrive in the morning to offer prayers at the temple

At noon the participants are offered the traditional Onam sadya meal

After partaking the feast, the regatta begins

In every boat, 100 ft long are four helmsmen and 100 rowers who are accompanied by 25 singers who sing to the boat’s rhythm

Since every boat is believed to carry Lord Krishna, there is no sense of competition and boats are expected to arrive at the destination at the same time. Sync boating in motion!

Hence, it is the only race which does not have cash prize or a trophy as the race is a celebration of the Lord’s manifestation

Getting to Pampa

Reach Kochi or Thiruvanthapuram (Trivandrum) by air or train

At Ernakulum station in Kochi or Trivandrum Central station, take the train to Chengannur which is the nearest rail head to Aranmula

From Chengannur railway station drive down, catch the local bus or hire a cab to reach Aranmula, 10 km away