29/07/2026
Location: Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala.
The Aranmula Vallasadya is a unique and grand feast held annually at the historic Sree Parthasarathy Temple in Aranmula, Pathanamthitta district. This extraordinary event spans over 60 days, allowing attendees to enjoy a lavish vegetarian meal comprising more than 60 dishes served on plantain leaves.
This feast, deeply rooted in tradition, is organized in honor of Lord Parthasarathy, the temple’s presiding deity. It specifically caters to the oarsmen of the snake boats, known as Palliyodams. Recognized as the largest vegetarian feast in the world, the Vallasadya begins in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (July-August) and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The Vallasadya is not merely a culinary event but a ritualistic offering (Vazhipadu) by devotees to the deity. Devotees who make the offering invite the snake-boat crew to partake in the feast, creating a vibrant and dramatic atmosphere. The oarsmen, arriving in their Palliyodams, settle in traditional dining halls called Oottupura and sing Vanchipattu, traditional boat songs. Through these songs, they theatrically request specific dishes, making the dining experience interactive and joyous.
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