Kottayam: Anoop Narayana Bhattathiri, a member of the Mangattu Illam at Kumaranallur, set sail on Tuesday to the Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula, carrying provisions for preparing the Onam feast for the presiding deity there.

The Churulan Vallam (boat) carrying Mr. Bhattathiri and the oarsmen began its journey from the Mangattu Ghat in Kumaranallur around 11.45 am. The Mangattu Illam, a Kerala Brahmin family, has inherited this privilege through generations.

From Kumaranallur, Mr. Bhattathiri will travel up to the Kattoor Ghats in Pathanamthitta on the Churulan Vallam. There, he will board the Thiruvonathoni, which carries the provisions for the Onasadya at the Aranmula temple. Representatives of the 18 karas (villages) from Kattoor will also join the voyage on the Thiruvonathoni. Meanwhile, the Churulan Vallam will accompany it along the way.

The boats are scheduled to reach the Madhu Ghats at Aranmula in the early hours of Thiruvonam day, September 5. The grand Onam feast prepared at the Aranmula temple during the day will also include the provisions brought on board the Thiruvonathoni.

At the Aranmula temple, Mr. Bhattathiri will lead the rituals until the Athazhapuja. His voyage, traversing three major rivers, the Vembanad Lake and several streams, holds a prominent place in the ritualistic traditions of South Kerala.

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