Aranmula Valla Sadhya, World’s Largest Vegetarian Feast

The Aranmula Valla Sadya holds a prominent stature among global culinary celebrations, owing to both its vast participation and the delectable vegetarian delicacies it offers. It is estimated that nearly 200,000 individuals visit the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple in the Pathanamthitta district every year to partake in this magnificent feast. The Valla Sadya is intricately linked to age-old rituals and legends, standing as a testament to its historical significance. Its primary purpose is to serve as an offering to the rowers of palliyodams that accompany the Thiruvonathoni. Attendees of this feast are treated to the distinctive flavors of the Central Travancore region, creating a culinary experience that is truly unique.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is one of the Divya Desams, a collection of 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu. The temple hosts the annual Aranmula Valla Sadhya, a festival that extends over two months and consists of daily feasts known as sadhyas. Devotees offer these feasts to Lord Krishna, the temple’s presiding deity.

Aranmula Valla Sadhya

Sadhya, a traditional vegetarian meal with Ayurvedic properties, is a significant part of Kerala’s culinary culture. Typically served on banana or plantain leaves, a sadhya usually features 10 to 20 dishes. However, the Aranmula Valla Sadhya takes this tradition to another level, with a staggering array of up to 63 dishes served in a single feast. This culinary spectacle, held during the festival, makes it one of the world’s largest ritual vegetarian feasts.

After presenting the feast to the divine deity, the preparations for the grand meal commence. The devotee who makes the offering arrives at the temple in the morning and presents a ‘para’, symbolizing an offering of gratitude. One portion of the ‘para’ is dedicated to the god, while the other is intended for the palliyodams.

Upon their arrival at the temple banks, the palliyodams, traditional snake boats, are accorded a magnificent welcome. Accompanied by the melodious tunes of the ‘Vanjipattu’ song, the rowers gather at the designated area where the ‘para’ offering has been placed. They carefully place their ornately adorned umbrellas and oars in this spot. Subsequently, the rowers are treated to the lavish feast in a dedicated dining space. As they sing the verses of the Vanjipattu, their traditional song, they eloquently request each delectable dish to be served. 

It is an integral part of the tradition that every dish is offered without any refusals. In total, the feast encompasses an impressive array of 63 different dishes. These dishes are presented and consumed following a specific style and arrangement, adhering to established traditions. The various dishes fall into three primary categories, and their serving sequence is meticulously upheld. The feast’s culinary offerings encompass a wide range, including parippu, pulissery, kaalan, avial, thoran, erissery, koottukari, pachadi, kichadi, a variety of mezhukku purattees, thorans, and an assortment of pickles.

Main Dishes of Aranmula Valla Sadya

The Aranmula Valla Sadhya dishes are served in a specific order, beginning with mango pickle, spiced lentils, vegetable stew, dry vegetable curry, vegetables cooked in yogurt, and thin, crisp flatbreads known as pappadams. A delectable array of flavors continues with plantain chips, and for dessert, the sumptuous payasam – a rice and milk delicacy infused with cardamom and saffron. The meal is accompanied by vellam, a special Ayurvedic herbal water with medicinal botanicals.

Among the plethora of dishes and delicacies featured are:

• Parippu – A rich lentil preparation savored with rice, papadum, and ghee
• Pulisserry – A flavorful curry crafted from tangy and dense buttermilk.
• Banana chips – Crispy and delectable snacks made from bananas.
• Shakara varatti and poovan palam – Sweet and savory treats that tantalize the taste buds.
• Aravana payasam – A sumptuous pudding created with rice, jaggery, and ghee.
• Kaalipazham payasam – A delectable pudding ingeniously made with bananas.
• Unniappam – A delectable fried dessert that captivates with its taste and texture.
• Sambar – A fragrant and flavorful lentil-based stew enriched with vegetables.
• Rasam – A tangy and invigorating soup infused with aromatic spices.
• Aviyal – A harmonious medley of vegetables, coconut, and spices.
• Kaalan – A delectable curry featuring vegetables cooked in yogurt.
• Olan – A subtle yet enticing stew made from ash gourd and coconut milk.
• Koottukari – A rich curry boasting a delightful blend of vegetables and lentils.
• Kichadi – A refreshing dish composed of yogurt and vegetables.
• Pachadi – A vibrant relish that tantalizes with its sweet and sour notes
• Injipuli – A zesty and tangy condiment that awakens the palate.
• Thoran – A dry and flavorful vegetable dish enhanced with coconut.
• Achar – Spicy pickled preparations showcasing raw mango, lemon, or lime.

Art of Dining of Aranmula Valla Sadya

The feast takes place in the temple’s traditional dining halls, where attendees sit cross-legged on the floor or communal tables. True to South Indian customs, the food is enjoyed using the right hand, with fingers cupped as a ladle.

Legend of Aranmula Valla Sadya

The origin of the Aranmula Valla Sadhya is steeped in legend. It commemorates an event where local snake boats came to the rescue of a boat carrying food and drink for the Thiruvona Sadhya. This incident led to the birth of the festival, along with the renowned Aranmula Vallamkali – an annual snake boat race that concludes the festival. The festival’s timing coincides with Kerala’s grand Onam celebrations.

Boat Races and Sadhyas

The boat race practice along the Pamba is accompanied by a special honor for the crews of the 52 teams. They are greeted with a riverside reception by devotees who offer them a sadhya. The crews circle the temple singing boatmen verses in Malayalam and, after a prayer stop, enter the dining hall. Here, they dine alongside the public, making requests for refills by singing in rhythm.

Number of People who indulge in Aranmula Valla Sadya

The Aranmula Valla Sadhya welcomes thousands of attendees, including the oarsmen from the snake boat teams. The feasts, serving a minimum of 250 people each, are a testament to the festival’s cultural significance. The grandeur of the festival is further evident in the number of times the dining halls are booked – over 450 times in a year.

Frequently Asked Questions on Aranmula Valla Sadya

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