Thiruvonathoni-Aranmula

The Garuda-faced Thiruvonathoni carrying provisions and vegetables for the Onam feast at Aranmula Sree ParthaSarathy Temple set off for Aranmula from the Maha Vishnu Temple Ghats in the Pampa at Kaattoor near Kozhencherry .The eldest member of the Mangattu Illom on is escorting the Thoni to Aranmula.

 

Hundreds of devotees thronged the temple ghats to witness the function. The Melsanthi transferred the sacred fire from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to the ceremonial lamp kept in the Thiruvonathoni immediately after the deeparadhana. A row of palliyodams (snake boats) from nearby villages escort the vessel.

 

Devotees greeted the Thiruvonathoni, which they consider a divine vessel, from the riverbanks along the Kattoor-Aranmula stretch. The Thiruvonathoni will reach the Aranmula temple. Tradition has it that the eldest member of the Illom, whose ancestors hailed from Kattoor, escorts the Thiruvonathoni to the Aranmula temple on the eve of Thiruvonam day. Eighteen families in Kattoor offer provisions for the Onam feast at the Aranmula temple and these are transported to Aranmula in the Thiruvonathoni immediately after the deeparadhana at Kattoor MahaVishnu Temple on Uthradom day.

 

Aranmula celebrations begin with the arrival of Thiruvonathoni from Kattoor. For a sumptuous meal for the Lord at Aranmula, a boat with the necessary provisions, and an ever-burning lamp, set off its journey from the temple at Kattoor at 6 pm so that it could reach Aranmula temple by early morning of the next day, the Thiruonam day. Mr. Bhattathiri of Mangattu Illom with 18 men will get into the boat and it will begin its journey to Aranmula. The boat is expected to float according to the speed of the current. The sound of the nagaswaram (musical pipe) could be heard from a distance. People from all walks of life, age and religion will assemble on the river bank and they will float lighted lamps on the river welcoming the Thiruvonathoni. It is believed that the palliyodams were built to protect this Thiruvonathoni. So early morning on Thiruvonam day all these palliyodams will accompany the Thiruvonathoni.