Aramula Valla Sadhya

Aranmula is a temple town in the state of Kerala, India which is known as the cultural capital of Pathanamthitta district, located at a distance of around 116 km from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala.

Aranmula Vallasadya is one of world’s largest vegetarian feast offered to Lord Parthasarathy of Aranmula temple, located in Kerala.Aranmulla Vallasadya is a mass feast which includes 45 varieties of dishes, given by devotees of Lord krishna.

The feast starts by July mid (normally on last day of Malayalam month of Midhunam) and goes on for 80 days to end by October first week (mid of Malayalam month of Kanni).

Two days marks an extraordinary feast during the Vallasadya feast period- the Thiruonam day (The Great Onam day) and Ashtami Rohini day (Birthday of Lord Krishna) where nearly 100,000 devotees attend to have the feast.

Each snake-boats (Palliyodams) in local parlance is a treasured possession enjoying the status of a deity. These are the same boats that take part during the annual Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali. This Vallamkali has more to do with the rituals than race. The event is held as an offering to Lord Parthasarathy, the presiding deity of the temple at Aranmula.

The snake-boat is unique in its structure that only the mid portion of the boat touches the water. It is believed that the 64 oarsmen sit on 64 steps, which represent 64 art forms. The eight oarsmen occupying the front portion represent the Ashta Dikpalakas (guardians of the eight directions) and the four helmsmen who help steer the boat represent four Vedas.

The oarsmen sings Vanchipattu (Boat songs) that praises Krishna and comes to the temple ghats where they were welcomed by the devotees. And these oarsmen come to the main platform of the temple and sings songs to praise the lord to appease him and seek his blessings for the devotee who was offering them food.

Soon after the afternoon poojas at the temple, the sadya will be offered by inviting these oarsmen and other devotees in the temple to the Ottupura(dining hall).

As per rituals, the organizing devotee must serve anything that oarsmen demands. The oarsmen demand each item through singing the Vanchipattu and the devotee must serve to him.

On the day of Krishna’s birthday – Ashtami Rohini day, the Valla sadya is conducted for all the devotees of Lord Parthasarathy. Around 1 lakh people attend this event every year. Most of the palliodams attend this feast. Rice with 45 side dishes are served at the Sadya on banana leaves including the following side dishes.

Fried chips: Five types of fried chips (Upperi)-

Unripen Banana (Nendran),
Jaggery coated Banana (Sarkaravarattiyathu),
Yam (Chena),
Ripen Banana (Pazham)
Colocasia/Taro (Chembu).

Enhancers:

A stalk of sugar cane (Karimbu),
Jaggery strips (Sarkara Cheviyathu),
Sugar (Panchasara), Aval (Flatten rice),
Malar (puffed rice),
Rock Candy (Kalkandam),
Raisins (Onakkamuntri),
Salt (Uppu).

Starters:

Unniappam (a traditional fried sweet),
Vada (Lentil ball),
Ellunda (Gingerly ball),
Kappalandiunda (Peanut ball),
Modakam (Sweet Dumplings)
two Pappadoms (a big one and a small one).

More are on request.

Pickles : 6 spicy pickles are served.

Kannimanga (Tender Mango),
Naranga (Lemon),
Kadu Manga (Unripe Mango),
Ambazhanga (Hog Plum),
Velluthooli (Garlic- Belief is that Krishna loved garlic that is grown in Mathura and wants that, which is brought in Pickle form),
Nellikka (Gooseberry).

Salted items like

Uppu Manga (Unripen Mango in salt brine),
Nendran Uppilittathu (Unripen Banana in salt brine),
Pulinji (Tamarind-Ginger paste)
Thenga Chamanthi (Dry roasted Coconut Chilly paste).

Side curries

The key highlight dish among side curries will be Aranmula Errissery (a dish with raw Bananas, Black eye peas, and Yam) believed to be favorite of Emperor Mahabali and thus must for every Onam Sadya. This dish recipe is slightly different from usual Erissery as it’s in fried form.

Other side dishes are