The famed Aranmula valla sadya festivities begin today

Aranmula: The stove has been lit with holy fire, marking the beginning of the iconic annual Valla sadya festivities at the Parthasarathy temple.

The animated beats of the percussion orchestra and the unique rhythms of the vanchi pattu set the perfect mood when the head priest Ramesh Thirumeni handed over the flame, which was lighted from a lamp in the sanctum sanctorum, to Palliyoda Sevasangam president KS Rajan on Saturday.

The flame was then given to veteran culinary expert Vasu Pillai who lit the stove with it. The valla sadya or the elaborate feast that is conducted as a special offering as part of the temple festival begins today.

A sadya with 64 dishes
The festival is scheduled till October 2. Meanwhile, the temple authorities said that they have received 450 bookings for the sadya, so far. The devotees offer the sadya or the traditional vegetarian feast as prayers for fulfilling their desires or as a thanksgiving ritual. Interestingly, more than 64 varieties of dishes are served at the valla sadya which has gained international fame. Besides, around ten palliyodams, or the boats that bring the ingredients for the sadya would take part in the festivities on the first day.

52 palliyodams, from various parts of the village, would reach the temple ghat, in order to pay respects to the idol. Palliyoda Sevasangam president Parthasarathi R Pillai, vice president Suresh G Venpala, joint secretary Pradeep Cherukol, valla sadya convenor VK Chandran, Aranmula Dewaswom administrator officer Jayakumar, executive committee members K Haridas, KS Sudheer, Palliyoda sevasangam executive members Shashikumar Keezhvanmazhi, PR Shaji, and PK Chandrasekharan Nair took part in the rituals.