Aranmula vallasadya from today: Facilities for devotees, KSRTC services, how to book

The Aranmula vallasadya (feast) offering at the Parthasarathy temple here will begin on Sunday, July 19. Sumptuous vallasadya would be served to the devotees until September 16. Meanwhile, 51 palliyodams (boats) will take part in the festivities this year. The organisers stated that 490 vallasadyas have been booked so far, while they aim for at least 570 sadya bookings. The feast will be served at various locations near the temple with support from the Dewasom Board. 

Devotees should reach the temple ghat to receive the palliyodams through the vadakkegopuram (north gateway) of the temple. Besides, a pedestrian path has also been arranged near the Bhagavathy temple, to the temple ghat, for the public. More than 100 taps are arranged at three spots for the devotees to wash their hands. Besides, a huge pavilion is also built in front of the temple on the northern side for the devotees to rest. 

Up to 10 vallasadyas would be conducted on the first day with Keezhcherrymel, Thekkemuri, Kodiyattukara, Thottapuzhaserry, Mallapuzhassery, Poovathoor Padinjaru, Thekkemuri Kizhakku, Melukara, Idasserymala and Cherukol palliyodams taking part in the event. Minister K Muralidharan will inaugurate the vallasadya at 12 noon on July 19. 

Rescue teams will provide security for the palliyodams until September 16. A fire force scuba team and two teams will accompany the palliyodams from the starting point to the Jawankadavu in Pamba Lake as part of the safety protocol. Besides, a boat would assist the palliyodams from the west in crossing the Anjilimoottilkadavu bridge. Special arrangements have been made to conduct the vallasadya perfectly and also to bring palliyodams from faraway places to the temple ghat. The rowers in the palliyodams have been given insurance coverage for two months. 

16 contractors will prepare the sumptuous feast at 20 sadyalayams (places where the feast is served). Authorities said the sadyas would be served at the sadyalayams in strict accordance with the health department's safety protocols. 

KSRTC service
KSRTC’s budget tourism cell, which organises 500 trips to the Panchapandava temples, is also offering the chance to take part in the Aranmula vallasadya. More than 400 devotees, arriving in eight buses daily from 89 depots between Parassala and Kasargod, will enjoy the sadya at the Panchajanyam auditorium. Meanwhile, special passes will be issued from July 20 onwards for the vallasadya at Thekkedath Illam Sadyalayam. Passes could be purchased for Rs 300 per head, and up to 360 vallasadyas would be served in a day. 

How to book vallasadya?
To book vallasadya, visit aranmulaboatrace.com or call 9048379110.  Sopanam vanchipattu competition will be held from August 2 onwards. Deva Sangeerthana Sopanam Vanchipattu competition will be inaugurated at 10.30 am on August 2 by ADGP Vijayan. The competition ends on August 23. A special canopy has been set up in front of the temple on the northern side for conducting the contest. The winner will receive the golden trophy, made of 52 sovereigns, donated by Madathil Raghu. 

The preliminary rounds of the vanchipattu Sopanam will be held from 10 am to 1.30 pm on August 2 – 19. Participants from all kara or localities could present vanchipattu in these sessions. Meanwhile, the competitions for the eastern, central and western sides would be held on August 20, 21 and 22, respectively. The kara who win these preliminary rounds will take part in the finals scheduled for August 23. Additionally, there will be a separate category of competitions for teams that placed second in the regional competitions.