Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Pathanamthitta, Kerala India

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is one of the "Divya Desams", the 108 temples of Vishnu reverred by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars located near Aranmula, a village in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, South India.

The temple is on the left bank of the Pampa River. The sacred jewels of Ayyappan (Thiruvabharanam) are taken in procession to Sabarimalai each year from Pandalam, and Aranmula Temple is one of the stops on the way. Also, the Thanka Anki (golden attire) for Ayyappa, donated by the king of Travancore, is stored here and taken to Shabarimala during the Mandala season (late December). Aranmula is also known for the watersports involving a spectacular procession of snake boats. It is also linked with legends from the Mahabharata.

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is a Hindu temple near Aranmula, a village in Kerala South India. The temple is on the left bank of the Pampa River It is one of the most important Krishna temples in Kerala, the others being at Guruvayur, Trichambaram, Tiruvarppu and Ambalappuzha. Legend has it that the Pandava princes, after crowning Parikshit left on a pilgrimage of India, and in Kerala, each of these brothers installed Vishnu on the banks of the Pampa and nearby places and offered worship. (Chengannur - Yuddhishtra, Tiruppuliyur - Bheema, Aranmula - Arjuna, Tiruvamundur - Nakula and Tirukkadittaanam - Sahadeva).

It is said that Arjuna built this temple at Nilackal near Sabarimalai. and the image was brought here in a raft made of six pieces of bamboo to this site, and hence the name Aranmula (six pieces of bamboo).

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple of the numerous Krishna temples in kerala, the five foremost are Guruvayur, Trichambaram, Thiruvarppu, Ambalappuzha and Aranmula. The Lord Krishna at Aranmula is depicted as Parthasarathi, the divine charioteer. The temple is reckoned among the 108 shrines referred to in the hymns of Alwars as sacred to vaishnavites. It is more popularly associated with the age old water carnival, widely known as the Aranmula Vallomkali or boat race, the most famous among the water festivals held in kerala during the Onam Season.

Aranmula, a beautiful and picturesque village, is about 9km from Chengannur, The temple is situated on the left bank of the pampa river embosomed in the exuberant foliage of majestic trees.

Legend has it that the idol which is worshiped at Aranmula had originally been installed at Nilakkal, a few miles to the south of Sabarimala. The Pandava brothers after crowning Parikshit as emperor of Bharat left on a pilgrimage visiting various holy places.

Legend has it that Arjuna built this temple, to expiate for the sin of having killed Karna on the battlefield, against the dharma of killing an unarmed enemy. It is also believed that Vishnu (here) revealed the knowledge of creation to Bhrama, from whom the Madhukaitapa demons stole the Vedas.

There is yet another legend associated with Parthasarathy here. On the ninth day of the battle of Kurukshetra, the Kauravas reigned supreme under the leadership of Bheeshma, when Krishna motivated Arjuna to take initiative and vanquish his foe. Upon his hesitating to do so, Krishna jumped down in rage, and took up his discus; seeing this sight Bheeshma surrendered to him and Arjuna beseeched him not to kill Bheeshma, as it would bave been against Krishna's vow to take up arms in his battle. It is believed that it is this image of Krishna that is enshrined here, with a discus. Aranmula Mirror is also very much related to the history of this temple