Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Pathanamthitta – Legends

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Pathanamthitta – Legends

Anju Ambalam:

It is one of the five ancient shrines in the Chengannur area of Kerala, connected with the legend of Mahabharata. Legend has it that the Pandava princes, after crowning Parikshit as king of Hastinapura left on a pilgrimage. On arriving on the banks of river Pamba, each one is believed to have installed a tutelary image of Krishna; Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple by Yudhishthira, Puliyur Maha Vishnu Temple by Bheema, Aranmula by Arjuna, Thiruvanvandoor Maha Vishnu Temple by Nakula and Thrikodithanam Maha Vishnu Temple to Sahadeva.

Krishna in Viswarupa form:

There is yet another legend associated with Parthasarathy here. During the battle of Kurukshetra, Duryodhana had taunted Bheeshma of not using his full might in fighting the Pandavas. This taunt by Duryodhana filled Bheeshma with rage. Bheeshma took a vow to fight with such ferocity the next day that Lord Krishna himself would be forced to break his vow of not using a weapon during the war in order to protect Arjuna. On the ninth day of the battle of Kurukshetra, the Kauravas reigned supreme under the leadership of Bheeshma, when Krishna motivated Arjuna to take initiative and vanquish his foe.

Bheeshma was unparalleled with the use of celestial weapons in such a manner that Arjuna could not counter the onslaught. Arrows after arrows fired from Bheeshma's bow breached the defenses of Arjuna and inflicted wounds to his body by penetrating his armour. The string of Arjuna's bow, the Gandiva was snapped during the battle. Seeing Arjuna's plight, Krishna jumped down in rage, and took up his discus charging towards Bheeshma. Bheeshma was overfilled with joy and surrendered to Lord Krishna.

Meanwhile, Arjuna beseeched the Lord not to kill Bheeshma, as it would have been against Krishna's vow to take up arms in his battle. It is believed that it is this image of Krishna that is enshrined here, with a discus. This symbolizes the Lord's act of compassion to both his devotees on either side of the battle. Lord Krishna broke his vow to protect Arjuna and also to fulfill the promise that his ardent devotee Bheeshma had made.

Uthrattathi Vallamkali:

Legend associated with the famous Uthrattathi Vallamkali (snake boat race) and Thiruvonathoni. The idol of Lord Parthasarathy was brought to this place from Nilakal in a raft made of six pieces of bamboo. Several Chundan Vallams (snake boats) accompanied the procession through Pampa river. The idol was installed in the temple on Uthrattathi day of Malayalam month Chingam (August-September). Uthrattathi in Chingam is the birthday of Arjuna. To celebrate these events people of Aranmula started the famous snake boat race Uthrattathi Vallamkali.

It was a custom for the Bhattathirippad of Kattoor Mangatt Illam to offer lunch to Brahmins on the Thiru Onam day. This had been going on for years. One particular year, no brahmins turned up for the Onam Sadya. The Bhattathirippad prayed to Lord Parthasarathy to send a brahmin. Later a Brahmin boy came to the Illam and Bhattathirippad welcomed him for lunch. After the lunch as the boy was leaving, he told the Bhattathirippad "I will not come again here for lunch". That night, Bhattathirippad had a dream and understood that the boy was none other than Lord Parthasarathy.

Lord Parthasarathy ordered him to bring rice and other material required for the 'Neivedhyam' on Thiruvonam day from next year onwards. This made him decide to take particulars for Onam Sadya to Aranmula Temple from next year onwards. So, the next year on Uthiradam day - the day before Thiruvonam, Bhattathirippad went to Aranmula Temple in a small thoni (boat) with rice and other material required for the Neivedhyam. The chief priest of the Aranmula Temple had a dream on that night. "My devotee Mangatt Bhattathiri will bring the materials for Onam Sadya. You must receive him at the north gopuram. Make neivedhyam with those materials."

The priest informed this to the temple authorities and they decided to send some Palliyodams (holy snake boats) to welcome Bhattathiri. Bhattathiri reached the temple with the materials and surprised by the warm welcome. He handed over the materials and the Deepam (oil lamp) he brought from Kattoor Maha Vishnu temple to the priest. The priest lighted the lamps inside the Sree kovil with this Deepam and the neivedhyam were prepared and offered it to the Lord. A Kedavilakku is installed inside the Sree kovil. There after it is a custom in this temple this tradition is continued even today.

Later the Bhattathiri faced some difficulties at Kattur and decided to leave from there. Lord allowed him to go to Kumaranalloor and told him that there his Sister Goddess Kathyayani will help him. But the condition is that Bhattathiri must reach the Aranmula temple for Thiruvonam with materials for neivedhyam. Bhattathiri agreed and went to Kumaranalloor. Mangattu Illam is now situated at Kumaranalloor near Kottayam. Every year the Karanavar (the eldest member) of Mangattu Illam starts his journey in a small thoni (boat) to Aranmula two days before Thiruvonam.

Bhattathiri will seek the blessings of Kumaranalloor Kathyayani Devi before starting the journey. The thoni will move towards Aranmula through Meenachil, Manimala and Pampa rivers. Bhattathiri will reach the Kattoor Maha Vishnu Temple on Uthiradam day. The devotees will bring the materials for Onasadya and Bhattathri will receive them. From here onwards he travels in the famous Thiruvonathoni. The Garuda-faced Thiruvonathoni will set off from the Maha Vishnu Temple Ghats at Kattoor, after the Deeparadhana. On one occasion, the Thiruvonathoni was ambushed by scoundrels, and villagers' snake boats came to the rescue. Thereafter, all offerings for the feast were brought by snake boats.

'Paliyodams' belonging to the seven Palliyoda karas in the upstream of Kozhencherry will escort the Thiruvonathoni to Aranmula with the accompaniment of Vanchippattu, verses in praise of Lord Parthasarathy. It is a nice sight to see the thoni moving down the river Pampa without rowing. The thoni is symbolic of Lord Vishnu’s Garuda. On its way, the Thiruvonathoni would first get to shore at Ayiroor madam and later at Melookara Ashramam. The procession would reach Aranmula Temple by early morning of Thiruvonam and will be received at the temple Ghats. The Onasadya will be served on the temple premises after the 'utchapuja' on Thiruvonam day.

But it is interesting that on Thiruvonam day the Karanavars (the eldest members) of four Illams in Aranmula will not take even a drop of water. These Illams were once the Ooralars (owners) of the temple. The Aranmula Temple had land properties in nearby villages. Naranganam was such a village. Once, during paddy harvest season, the Ooralars were measuring the harvest in a paddy field. A poor, low caste woman waited to get some paddy as a tip. She waited until the evening but was completely ignored by the landlords. She had been starving for days.

That night, the poor woman lay down in a field, and, by the next morning, she was dead. Thereafter, misfortunes began to fall upon Aranmula and the landlords under the temple. It was revealed that it was the divine curse caused by the death of the poor woman. So, it was suggested that the Karanavars of these families must not take food and water on Thiruvonam day and feasts should be given to the public – regardless of religion, caste, or financial status – every year.

Aranmula:

The image of the temple was brought here in a raft made of six pieces of bamboo to this site, and hence the name Aranmula (six pieces of bamboo). 

Arin Vilai:

As per other legend, the place derives its name from arin-villai, a land near a river.

Arjuna built this Temple to expiate for the sin of killing Karna:

Legend has it that Arjuna built this temple, to expiate for the sin of having killed Karna on the battlefield, against the dharma of killing an unarmed enemy.

Aranmula Boat race:

Also, there is a myth regarding the boat race of Aranmula. When Arjuna was returning with Lord Krishna’s image after long penance, there was a huge flood. At this time, he crossed the river on a raft. A low caste Hindu gave him the raft to cross the river. The raft was of six bamboo pieces. This annual boat race commemorates the help of the low caste Hindu.

Annadana Prabhu:

Lord Krishna presiding here in the Vishwaroopa form is considered as 'Annadana Prabhu' (The Lord who provides food) along with other temples like Vaikom Mahadeva Temple and Sabarimala. It is believed that those whose Annaprasanam is performed at the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple would never be affected by the pangs of poverty throughout their life.

Lord Brahma penance to have darshan of Lord Vishnu:

Brahmma is also said to have undertaken penance at this place wanting to have darshan of Lord Vishnu in his Vamana Avatharam and as a thanking gesture for having secured back the Vedic Scriptures from the Madhu-Kaidapa demons.

Aranmula Mirror:

Aranmula Mirror is also related to the history of this temple. The king of Travancore wanted to donate a crown made of rare metal to the temple and he found a rare combination of Copper and lead. It is believed as per the tradition that preparing the metal polished mirror was produced only by a family. In modern times, the College of Fine Arts have started producing it in commercial scale. Aranmula mirror is a handmade metal-alloy mirror, made in Aranmula.  The normal ‘silvered’ glass mirrors which is metal-alloy mirror, it is a front surface reflection mirror, which eliminates secondary reflections and aberrations typical of back surface mirrors. However, metallurgists suggest the alloy to be a mix of copper and tin.

It is then polished for several days in a row to achieve their reflective surface. They are considered to be the one among the eight auspicious items or “ashtamangalyam” that makes up the entry of the bride at the venue of the wedding. These unique metal mirrors are the result of Kerala’s rich cultural and metallurgical traditions, and have great historical and cultural value and are even considered to bring good luck. Legend has it that eight families of experts in temple arts and crafts were brought by the royal chief to Aranmula from Tirunelveli district to work in the Parthasarathy temple centuries ago on the mirrors. The British Museum in London has a 45-centimeter-tall Aranmula metal mirror in its collection.