Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Pathanamthitta – The Temple

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Pathanamthitta – The Temple

The temple is built in Kerala style architecture, which is common in all temples in the South Indian state of Kerala in Eastern axis. It is similar to the Ettumanor Mahadeva Temple structure. The temple has an elevated structure reached by a flight of 20 steps. The temple has a two storied gopuram or a gateway tower, with the upper storey having wooden trails covering the Kottupura (a hall of drum beating during festivals). A rectangular wall around the temple, called Kshetra-Madilluka pierced by the gateways, encloses all the shrines of the temple.

The metal plated flag post or Dwajasthambam is located axial to the temple tower leading to the central sanctum and there is a Deepasthamba, which is the light post. Chuttuambalam is the outer pavilion within the temple walls. The central shrine and the associated hall is located in a rectangular structure called Nallambalam, which has pillared halls and corridors. Between the entrance of Nallambalam to the sanctum, there is a raised square platform called Namaskara Mandapa which has a pyramidal roof.

Thevrapura, the kitchen used to cook offering to the deity is located on the left of Namaskara Mandapa from the entrance. Balithara is an altar is used for making ritualistic offering to demi-gods and the festive deities. The central shrine called Sree Kovil houses the image of the presiding deity. Presiding Deity is called as Parthasarathy / Tirukkuralappan It is on an elevated platform with a single door reached through a flight of five steps. Either sides of the doors have images of guardian deities called Dwara Palakas.

As per Kerala rituals, only the main priest called Thantri and the second priest called Melshanthi alone can enter the Sree Kovil. The central shrine has a circular plan with the base built of granite, superstructure built of laterite and conical roof made of terrocata tile supported from inside by a wooden structure. The lower half of Sree Kovil consists of the basement, the pillar or the wall, called Stambha or bhithi and the entablature called prasthara in the ratio 1:2:1, in height. Similarly, the upper half is divided into the neck called Griva, the roof tower called shikhara and the fonial kalasam (made of copper) in the same ratio.

The roof projects in two levels to protect the inner structure from heavy rains during monsoon. The roof of the temple and some of the pillars have lavish wood and stucco carvings depicting various stories of ancient epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. The outer walls around the sanctum have a series of wooden frames housing an array of lamps, which are lit during festive occasions. The temples have paintings on its walls dating back to early 18^th century. The image of the presiding deity is 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall. Krishna is in Vishwaroopa pose, the one he depicted to Arjuna during the Mahabharata war. He is standing posture facing east. Vimaanam is called Vaamana Vimanam.

As per one legend, Arjuna is believed to have built the temple in Nilakal Narayanapuram and later brought to Aranmula in a raft made with six bamboos. In the second precinct, there are shrines of Sastha, Yakshi, Nagaraja and Erangavil Bhagavathy Balarama in the lower shrine. The temple has four towers over its entrances on its outer wall. The Eastern tower is accessed through a flight of 18 steps and the Northern tower entrance flight through 57 steps leads to the Pampa River. It is believed that Dushasana is the guardian of the eastern Gopuram of the temple. The temples have paintings on its walls dating back to early 18^th century.

There is a sub shrine for Lord Balarama near to the northern gopuram. This shrine is located in a big pit and devotees have to step down to get the darshan of Lord Balarama. The Thiruvonathoni is kept in a special place near to the western Gopuram. Tulabaram, an age-old practice, continues to take place at this temple and one can see the big Tulabaram hanging as one enters the temple from the eastern side. Mother is called as Padmasini. Theerthams associated with this Temple are Vedavyasa Saras and Pampa River.

There are 3 elephants in this temple. Aranmula Valiya Balakrishnan and Gajarajan Aranmula Raghunathan were the famous elephants of Lord Parthasarathy. Aranmula Palace is an old palace at Aranmula, was built more than 200 years ago. This palace is known as Aranmula Vadakku Kottaram. Aranmula palace is the halt place of holy journey “Thiruvabharana khosa yatra” at Aranmula. Aranmula Kottaram is situated in front of Aranmula Partha Sarathi Temple. This palace is one of the best example of architectural form Nalukettu which is made based on Thachu Sastra, or the Science of Carpentry and Traditional Vasthu.