Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali, the renowned annual boat race held in Kerala's Aranmula in Pathanamthitta, will begin at 1.30 pm on Wednesday (September 18). The event will be kicked off with a water procession aka jala khoshayatra and 49 palliyodams (boats) will take part in the event, categorised as A and B divisions. The race is modelled this year after the historic Nehru Trophy Boat Race. The flag hoisting ceremony of the event was held at 9.30 am. The collector has declared a local holiday in the region due to the festival. The region reverberates with the rhythms and tunes of 'vanchipattu,' aka boat songs, in the nathonnatha vritham style on the day of the event.  

A historic event
The annual water carnival, which marks the anniversary of the idol installation at the Sree Parthasarathy temple, is regarded as one of the oldest events of its kind in the state. Legend has it that the origin of 'palliyodams' is linked to the 'valla sadya' or the grand feast held here every yaear. It is said that Bhathathiri of Mangattu Illam (a prominent family) at Kattoor, a village north of Aranmula, used to perform 'kalkazhukichoottu,' a ritual of washing the feet and presenting gifts or food on Thiruvonam day.
Once, no one turned up for the ritual. A Brahmin boy visited the worried Bhattathiri, and was served food. While leaving, Bhattathiri asked him to visit the 'illam' (a Brahmin's home) the same day, next year also. The boy, however, disappeared after telling the Bhattathiri to send the food to the Aranmula temple.

Next year onwards, Bhattathiri left for the temple on a boat loaded with food on the Uthradam evening, and reached the temple on Thiruvonam, the next day. Later, as robbers became a menace, others in the locality accompanied Bhattathiri in snake boats. Currently, as many as 52 boats accompany the representative from the Kattoor family. Mangattu Bhattathiri's family later shifted residence to Kumaranalloor in Kottayam. Still, a representative from the family reaches the Kattoor temple by boat, and stock the 'thiruvonathoni' with materials – vegetables and provisions – needed for preparing the Onasadya, and before starting the customary journey to the Sri Parthasarathy Temple.

The 'thiruvonathoni' (main boat, considered divine) with its lamp flickering, and the accompanying flotilla of snake boats nearing the temple ghat through the mist on Thiruvonam morning is a sight to be seen!

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