Since childhood, I had heard that my roots trace back to the banks of the Pampa River, near the sacred Sree Parthasarathy Temple in Aranmula. So, when I got the chance to witness the legendary Aranmula Boat Festival, I felt both excited and emotionally drawn — a journey into heritage and memory.

We began our trip from Kochi and made our way through Kottayam to Pallom for dinner at the renowned Karimpinkala Restaurant, where we enjoyed a sumptuous culinary experience of Kerala-style seafood, local meats, and fresh toddy served in earthen pots. Our stay was at Mannaas Veedu, a tranquil heritage homestay nestled in greenery with an Ayurvedic spa and charming gardens — a serene base for our custom-made tour.

Before breakfast, we met locals who shared insights about the Aranmula Vallamkali, the oldest of Kerala’s fairs and festivals. Unlike a competitive snake boat race, this is a ceremonial procession of ornately decorated Palliyodams (sacred boats), gliding in pairs to devotional chants, with oarsmen dressed in white mundus and turbans — no footwear, no shirts, just purpose and rhythm.

Each boat represents a village (kara) and is considered a divine extension of Lord Krishna. No motors, no noise — only the pulse of paddles and spiritual fervor. The Parthasarathy Temple serves as the sanctum anchoring this entire event, making it a vital stop on our spiritual tour.

We also visited the Konni Elephant Sanctuary, where orphaned elephants are lovingly cared for and bathed in the river — an unforgettable village rural experience and a highlight of responsible tourism in Kerala. The day of the festival, we boarded a wooden boat to photograph the majestic Palliyodams up close — their golden embellishments, ceremonial umbrellas, and the synchronized chants created a spellbinding spectacle. It wasn’t a race, but a divine dance on water.

And then came the feast that is as legendary as the boats — the Valla Sadya. Held in the temple’s Oottupura (dining hall) during the Malayalam month of Chingam, this sacred banquet is offered to the oarsmen, who are revered as divine representatives of Lord Krishna. To the rhythm of Vanchipattu boat songs, they request specific dishes — and every dish requested must be served. The spread is a vegetarian masterpiece of 60–70 delicacies, sometimes reaching 101 items on special days, all prepared without onion or garlic. From tangy pickles to rich payasam, the flavours reflect Kerala’s temple culinary traditions at their finest. For travellers, joining the Valla Sadya is more than enjoying food — it’s an immersion into heritage, faith, and community, making it a treasured highlight in Heritage Tours, Culinary Cuisine trails, and Kerala tour packages.

This is offbeat Kerala at its finest. No walls, no noise — just open skies, sacred rituals, the aroma of a feast steeped in devotion, and the echo of ancestral pride. A perfect fit for heritage tours, women-only tours, or those looking for immersive, custom-made Kerala tour packages that include bird watching, houseboat cruise, or a Kerala backwaters experience along the Alleppey backwaters and Kumarakom backwaters.

With Travelcart, you don’t just attend a festival — you step into a story.