Aaranmula Valla Sadya from July 23: 500 feasts to be offered this year

The historic Aranmula Valla Sadya or the grand feast celebrated as part of the annual festival at the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple begins on July 23. The devotees can offer sadya at the temple until October 2.

Meanwhile, the Palliyoda Seva Sangam and the Travancore Dewaswom Board have begun preparations for the most important ritual at the Aranmula temple.

Palliyoda Seva Sangam president KS Rajan and secretary Parthasarathy R Pillai said that around five hundred valla sadya offerings are expected this year.

They add that 375 sadya bookings have been received until now. However, the temple committee has decided to conduct only up to twelve sadya a day. Devotees offer the sadya at the temple as a mark of gratitude for fulfilling their prayers. Palliyodam or snake boats from fifty two regions would arrive at the ghats to visit the idol.

Meanwhile, organically cultivated vegetables would be sourced by the agriculture department and six panchayats for the valla sadya. Those who have the passes issued by the Palliyoda Seva Sangam would be allowed inside the dining area. The authorities informed that those who book in advance would be allowed entry for Rs 250 per head.

The grand arrival of the Thiruvona thoni is on August 29 and the Uthrattathi snake boat race has been scheduled on September 2. The Ashtami Rohini valla sadya is on September 6. A meeting, presided by Minister Veena George, would be held soon to discuss the event and the boat race.

Sand dunes must be removed
The river has been losing its width as the sand dunes that were formed on both sides of the race tracks have not been removed. Besides, it is difficult to row the boats amid these precarious sand dunes. The snake boats that traditionally take part in the valla sadya cannot reach the temple ghats due to the sand dunes and mud.

The Palliyoda Seva Sangam officials demanded that the state water authority should take the necessary actions to remove the dunes. G Suresh Venpala is the vice president of the Palliyoda Seva Sangam. Meanwhile, Pradeep Cherukol is the joint secretary, VK Chandran is the convenor and PR Shaji and MK Shashi Kumar are the publicity convenors.