Sacred feast with over 70 dishes, Kerala's Aranmula Vallasadya season starts from July 19

This year’s Aranmula Vallasadya season at the iconic Parthasarathy temple in Aranmula of Pathanamthitta district will be held from July 19 to September 16. The vallasadya is a centuries-old feast held every year at the temple, spanning 60 days, featuring over 70 traditional dishes served on a plantain leaf in typical Kerala style.

The vallasadya is an offering made by devotees to seek blessings. Authorities say around 380 vallasadyas have already been booked for this season.

The Uthrittathi boat race and Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya, two main events of the festival season, will be held on August 30 and September 4, respectively.

This year, the Vallasadya feast will be offered to visitors under the KSRTC’s budget tourism programme for 56 days at the Panchajanyam Auditorium in Aranmula. In addition, devotees can enjoy the sumptuous feast with special passes priced at ₹300 per person. For Vallasadya booking, call 8281113010.

Aranmula boat race
The oldest boat race in Kerala, the Aranmula boat race, is held on the Uthrattathi day (as per the Malayalam calendar) on the Pampa River. This year, it will be held on August 30.

Unlike other boat races featuring snake boats, the 'uthrattathi' boat race features 'palliyodam' boats (boats with a towering rear like a snake's hood). The oarsmen also chant rhythmic, traditional boat songs, a.k.a vanchipattu, while rowing the boats. After the boat race, the massive 'vallasadya' feast is also served.