Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is situated at a high elevation on the banks of River Pampa which has four entrances. Each enterance has a tower in the surrounding outer wall and the temple is built as per the traditional Kerala Architecture. The presiding deity of Lord Krishna is six feet tall and the sub deities in the temple are Ayyappa, Yakshi, Nagaraja, Erangavil Bhagavathy and Lord Balarama. Ashtamirohini the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great pomp and show. The grand feast Ashtami Rohini 'vallasadya' is held on this auspicious day and devotees from all over the state take part in this feast which is considered as prasadom of Lord Krishna. The Vallasadya offering village conducts a boat race before the feast at the temple and the unique thing about this feast is that it is not for Brahmins but only Nair’s attend the feast. Another important event of this temple is that the Sacred Jewels of Lord Ayyappa is taken out in procession to Sabrimala from this temple before the Makara Vilakku.

History of Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple states that this temple was built by Arjuna to atone the sins for killing an unarmed Karna in the battle field. The presiding deity here is of Lord Krishna holding the sudarshana Chakra, an image Arjuna saw when Krishna was about to kill Bheeshma. Parthasarthy temple is built in one the 108 Divya Deshams or holy temples of Lord Vishnu. The world famous water carnival the Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali is one of the important events related to this temple.

Since the temple is situated at a high elevation people with heart problems should take precautions while climbing.
If you are new to the city ensure that you take directions from a police aid post or tourism centre.