Monday, August 22, 2011

Aranmulla Parthasarathy temple- Kerala

Happy Janmashtami greetings to all . 
Befitting the occasion, I am taking you to the famous Aramulla Parthasarathy temple in Kerala near Chengannur which is on the banks of river Pampa. Aramulla is declared as a heritage village.It is famous for its snake boat race and the Tiruvabharanam procession for Sabarimala temple halts at this temple. Aramulla mirrors are also famous as it is cast with a special metal.
The temple of Parathasarathy, the divine charioteer  is situated in a calm and salubrious atmosphere totally away from the dust and din of the city. The temple is on a higher elevation and a flight of steps leads one to the temple. There are towers  on  four sides of the temple and on Northern side we see river Pampa where the famous Vallom kali  ( snake boat race) starts during Onam, the famous harvest festival of Kerala. This year, Onam falls in September  and those who are interested to see this colourful snake boat race can head towards Aranmulla.There is an intersting legend connected with the Aranmulla boat race . read it here.
Have a 360 degree virtual tour of the temple click here.

The Lord here,  Parathasarathy is Krishna, gives Vishwaroopa darshanam to His devotees as He appeared to Arjuna after the famous Gitopadesham. The temple sanctum is circular in shape with typical Kerala architecture . The idol here is believed to be consecrated  by Arjuna . There are 4 more temples of Vishnu which comes under the 108 divadesams consecrated by the other 4 Pandava brothers, in Kerala. I will be posting about all those one by one. These temples are in the nearby villages and devotees make it a point to visit all of them on the same day.

Just outside the sanctum on the Northen side we find the idol Nirmalyadhari Vikshasenar, 
There is a subshrine for Balabadra, in outer circumambulatory path. 
How to reach:
Nearest rail station is Chengannur. Aramulla temple is 9 Kms from this town.  Nearest airport is at Trivandrum .  
A diversion at Kulanada on NH would take one to this temple.

  My friend Asha has written  an interesting  post on  Uriyadi Varagur temple about the Janmashtami celebrations. Shall be visiting the temple soon and would bring you pictures in the near future.

 To read about Parthasarathy temple of Chennai ,on 'My Pilgrimage' click here.

51 comments:

R. Ramesh said...

awesome asusual..chitra..now u can compile this as a book na..it will be wellreceived i am sure...wonderful work yar...

Amrit said...

Very well written Chitra. Thanks. This link was not working in the morning otherwise I would have been the first.

chitra said...

Rameshji, thanks for the suggestion. I don't know how many people would receive this when it gets printed. when all the information is available at one click , will anyone go for books?. I doubt.

chitra said...

A, thanks a lot .I am happy, you find my blog interesting enough to come and post your comments first:).

aipi said...

Very nice pictures of a divine temple!
USMasala

KParthasarathi said...

This is one of the best posts.The 360 degrees view is breathtaking and gave a feel of having been there.The accompanying nadswaram music of nada thanumanisam adds to the divine spirit.The post is very apt at a time when Janmashtami is celebrated.Kerala houses such great temples keeoing their pristine purity and divinity.Thanks a bunch,Chitra

Sridharan said...

Beautiful temple and some fantastic pictures. Needless to say that the panorama is breathtaking.. As always, I love the river bank..!

chitra said...

Aipi, thanks.Divine indeed!!

chitra said...

KP,
The panorama virtual tour is fabulous is it not?. That's why I decided to included it.Really better than still pictures. Gives a feeling of being there.

EC said...

I havent been to much temples in Kerala..its so different compared to the ones in Tamilnadu..that reminds me that I should plan a trip to the temples in Kerala soon..thanks for sharing the beautiful pics

chitra said...

Sridharan,
Thanks .It is one among the most famous 5 Krishna temples in Kerala.

chitra said...

EC, Of course you must visit Kerala temples. They are so different in architecture, Pooja sampradaya, in the upkeep of purity and adherence to their dress codes. There are about 10 divyadesams of Vishnu in Kerala. You can plan a visit.

Anuradha Shankar said...

Nice one, as usual, chitra..... would love to see pics of the varahur uriyadi.. cant see myself going there anytime soon :(

chitra said...

Anu, shall be making a visit around Nov. when the weather becomes a bit cool.... Never knew abt.the temple till I read Asha's post.

AswathiBabu said...

Chitra
Its so nice to see yr pictures
You may be heard about the famous 'Vallasadya' at this temple. Pls see my post
http://aswathikasimadom.blogspot.com/2010/09/vallasadya-at-aaranmula-parthasarathy.html

chitra said...

Aswathy
I have heard about vallasadya. That is a long story and I have provided links for the same.Shall read yours too.

Asha said...

OH, what a visual treat this temple is. The virtual tour you give us will earn you a lot of 'Punyam, btw , i second ramesh's suggestion. the photos and description would make a beautiful book. Like me there would be many who would love to adorn their centre table with such beautiful books.

Yes, please visit vargur and make a post. only you can do justice with your photos.

Insignia said...

I liked the temple vicinity. Temples in Kerala are so different from TN. Quaint and serene

chitra said...

Asha, thanks. May be when the right time it would happen. I will leave everything in almighty's hands.

chitra said...

Insignia, 100 percent true.Kerala temples are different.

chitra said...

Asha , the virtual tour is an external link, not created by me. I found it attractive and hence shared it here.

Arti said...

Beautiful post Chitra, love your blog! The pics capture the heart, the Temple story is very divine indeed...
Happy Janmasthami to you and your family:)

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Thanks not only for an interesting post Chitra but also all those links ... I'm away to visit Asha now.

chitra said...

Arti,thanks a lot. I was also looking at the pictures after a long time...they have come out well .It was a clear day. hence they are appealing.

chitra said...

PW,
Happy you could a get some more interesting facts through those links.

sm said...

well written
Happy Janmashtami

chitra said...

Thanks Agam. Shall read your posts too.
sm, thanks Happy Janmasthami to you also..

P.N. Subramanian said...

Wonderful ost indeed!. I find that the Balipeetham is housed in a small mandapam. Incidentally would you enlighten me about these Balipeethams. Why they are named as such.

The Chair Speaks said...

Have not visited Aramulla Parthasarathy temple in Kerala. Thanks for showing the pictures.

chitra said...

PN Subramanian,
Balipeetams are sacrificial altars where offerings are made to guardian deities of the temple. We also find smaller balipeetams all around the temple and offerings of cooked rice and water is made at the balipeetam everyday to appease them. In earlier days, I think animals were sacrificed at balipeetams as bali stands for sacrifce....

chitra said...

The chair speaks,
I am happy you liked the post.

ജയരാജ്‌മുരുക്കുംപുഴ said...

beautiful pictures and narration...... congradulations.....

Rakesh Kumar said...

Liked your blog very much.
I am thankful to your this well written post showing fantastic pictures of the temple.
Very good effort,Chitra ji.

If you like Hindi blogs,please visit mine also.
Would request to present your views on 'devotion'
and 'Shiv-ling'.

chitra said...

Jayaraj, thanks.

chitra said...

Rakesh Kumar,
Thanks for the visit and the comment. shall check your blog too.

R. Ramesh said...

chitraji..ungaluku oru chocolate illai..pathu tharalam....eppo varango dubai? :) cheers

V Gopalan said...

Hi Chitra,
This is a wonderful post. Superb pictures, especially the Panoramic view!Brilliant work!

Oh my Dior! said...

Divine temple really peaceful place!!

http://www.ohmydior.org/

chitra said...

Gopalan,
Thank you so much.
OMD,
thank you so much.

Urmi said...

All the temples in South India are very beautiful and unique. Wonderful post.
Wish you and your family a very happy Vinayaka Chaturthi.

chitra said...

Babli, thanks.

R. Ramesh said...

:)

Oh my Dior! said...

Hope one day my eyes see what your eyes are seeing beautiful places!

http://www.ohmydior.org/

chitra said...

Ramesh, thanks for dropping by. Son is home...busy days...

chitra said...

OMD, thanks. I hope your wish comes true..

Oh my Dior! said...

hope you are having a beautiful week!

http://www.ohmydior.org/

Martina said...

Hi Chitra, long tome no see - and such a gorgeous slideshow you've made again! I missed visiting India with you! Happy week!

? said...

Missed so many posts durign the past 3 months; loved the pictures in this post.

Anonymous said...

nice one

chitra said...

?
thanks .Try to visit whenever you can.

Krishna,thanks

harivillu said...

its simply superb narrated...


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